 Woods can expect to be some way off the lead at the start of day four |
World number one Tiger Woods will have his work cut out if he is to secure a third straight Open crown on Sunday, despite a third-round 69 at Carnoustie. The American was rarely at his best as he mixed four birdies with two bogeys to finish on one under par.
And the 31-year-old admitted it had been a "very frustrating day".
"Look, I've been here before and there are times when you just hang in there and grind it out. At least I have given myself a chance," he told BBC Sport.
"Of course it didn't go as I had hoped, but I still shot under par and we'll see how that looks at the end of the day.
"To win, I will have to play better than I have been but, like I say, I've given myself a shot at it at least.
"I remember Paul Lawrie came from 10 shots back to win in 1999, so it can certainly be done around here."
Woods enjoyed a fair amount of luck during his round, not least when a wayward approach on the sixth ricocheted off a female spectator and back into play.
Jennifer Wilson, 60, from Armagh, Northern Ireland needed two stitches in a head wound following the incident, but Woods went on to make par and keep his round on track.
And Jennifer's husband Cecil revealed that Woods made a heartfelt apology to the woman and gave her an autographed glove.
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Highlights: Open Championship day three