The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
Let's get this out of the way. With rounds of 65 69 65 -11, playing completely in control with a 3 shot lead, putting better than anyone else, having won 8 out of 9 times with a 54 hole lead, two firsts and 2 seconds in his last 4 majors, and with a second consecutive ideal day for scoring at Royal Birkdale, Jordan Spieth has one hand on the Claret Jug, and it would be a bigger story if he loses it than if he wins.
His closest challenge is good guy and Ryder Cup team mate, Matt Kuchar 65 71 66 -8 and they will go out last at 9.30am EST.
A bigger story on this side of the border, getting absolutely no attention is the 20 year old Canadian kid Austin Connelly who is T3 in his first major 67 72 66 -5 and he will be in the penultimate pairing with US Open champion Brooks Koepka 65 72 68 -6 at 9.20EST. His round included a birdie, eagle start ( 9 iron holed from 130 yards at the par 2nd)
"I never felt nerves from the first tee on which was surprising to me, I feel very calm. I'm very confident with how I'm hitting it. I feel like I'm hitting it straight and solid and that is making me very calm"
Whatever happens to Austin today, he is already a winner this week. He is not likely to catch Spieth who is 6 shots ahead, but then who is? Connelly has gained a ton of confidence this week on the biggest stage. He knows he can play with, and this week, better than the rest of the field with 3 exceptions, and that is priceless as his career moves forward. He'll get a great reception at the RBC Canadian Open next week if he can make it. He has an invitation and wants to play, but he also needs to secure his European Tour card, so a lot depends on this afternoon.
Another caveat; the top 4 and ties receive an invitation to the Masters.
There are 65's and maybe 64's or 63's out there today, the sun is shining, barely a breath of wind, which will pick up a little when the tide comes in this afternoon, so let's see who from the supporting cast will get hot to make it interesting. Aaron Baddeley has already posted a 64.
I thought Rory would get into it yesterday and he started with 3 birdies early on, but gave them back mid round with a couple of bogey's and a double, ending up with a 69 instead of the 64 or 5 he needed. He's at -2 T11.
Ian Poulter disappointed with three bogeys on the back nine and shot 71 -2 total to end the hopes for an English victory.
Dustin Johnson shot 64, Henrik Stenson 65 and they are paired together at -3, teeing off at 9am EST and don't forget the Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama 68 72 66 -4 who is playing with Branden Grace who will have trouble topping his history making 62 yesterday. They are off at 9.10am EST.
That's about it. Spieth will become the first guy to win 3 majors before his 24th birthday apart from Jack Nicklaus, unless something unexpected happens...
It's his to win, it's his to lose.. that's why we watch !
Bryan Angus
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