BBC Sportgolf

Greg Norman will take a two-shot lead over defending champion Padraig Harrington and KJ Choi into the final round of the Open at Birkdale.

The 53-year-old two-time former champion carded 72 to end three over on a day of winds gusting over 40mph which almost forced a halt to play.

Harrington shot 72, while overnight leader Choi took 75.

England's Simon Wakefield is three behind in fourth, with countryman Ross Fisher in a group five adrift.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the Open

By Paul Fletcher

1950: "Well that was special. As Greg Norman approached the final green the crowd rose as one to acclaim their hero. Goodness knows what will happen tomorrow if he actually wins it, they'll raise the roof. If it had one. As Norman left the green he puffed out his cheeks and received a kiss from new wife Chris Evert. Nick Faldo was there too. Tell you what, tomorrow is going to be a cracker, can't wait."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at Royal Birkdale

1945: Well that is just about it - and what a cracking day's action it has been. The conditions undoubtedly played a part but made for some top drama. Let us hope for more of the same on Sunday. Thanks for reading.

1941: "Norman is a three-day golfer. We all know what is going to happen tomorrow! I'm willing to bet the house that he chokes."
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Is he right?

1936: Norman is inches away from chipping in at the 18th. It would have been sensational. He finishes with a par for a round of 72 and the outright lead overnight.

Choi misses a birdie putt and he too has to settle for par. He has gone round in 75 and ends the day on four over. Harrington is also four over and it is the defending champion who will partner Norman in the last group out on the final day of this entralling tournament.

1934: Norman is given a great reception as he wanders down the 18th. What will it be like on Sunday?

1933: "I've was standing at the 18th green as Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell ended their third rounds. Furyk was muttering something to himself as he stormed off, unfortunately it was inaudible, while I couldn't help but noticing how incredibly shiny McDowell's strides were. Elsewhere, there was very little sympathy for a poor workman as the mobile drinks stand he was wheeling got stuck in the mud and crashed to the floor. Cries of 'who are you?' were heard from the hoards leaving the course. Now that's just not nice."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at Royal Birkdale

1929: A few Aussie flags can be seen at Birkdale. Looks like they might blow away in the wind. No comment.

1928: Choi chomps on a sandwich as he wanders down the 18th. Celebrating missing the bunker with his drive no doubt.

1926: "Things are just going Greg Norman's way at the moment."
BBC commentator Peter Alliss

1924: Almost there. Mediate pars the last for a 76. He is eight over and you wouldn't rule him out. Villegas cards a 79, somewhat worse than his 65 on Friday. He ends the day 10 over.

1922: Norman is inches away from an eagle but makes a birdie four to move to two over and a two-shot lead. Choi plays a great bunker escape but misses his birdie putt and has to settle for par.

1918: Two groups left on the course - and Norman has a putt for eagle on the 17th. Choi is stuck in the sand at the front of the green.

1917: In the penultimate group, Villegas pars the 17th and is nine over for the day, Mediate is six over for the round after a birdie.

1914: Furyk finishes with a bogey for a round of 77. He looks disappointed, and well he might after coming back in 43. McDowell ends with a double bogey for a round of 80.

1910: This tournament - can you pick it? I reckon it is pretty wide open.

1908: Norman drills the ball miles down the 17th, cutting the corner. A bold shot. Choi sends it left as well and the ball finds the light rough on the right-hand side of the fairway.

1907: Furyk is through the green on the last, McDowell fall short with his approach. It has not been a great couple of hours for either player.

1905: Choi holds his nerve for par at 16. Norman holes from a couple of feet to maintain his one-stroke lead.

1905: David Duval is back in the clubhouse, perhaps musing over what went wrong. He went round in 83.

1901: Robert Allenby finishes with a bogey for a round of 76 after missing a short putt at the 18th. He is five off the lead - while playing partner Alexander Noren is four adrift. The Swede went round in 75. It might have been one better but his birdie putt on the last just missed.

1900: "Now, as we start to look ahead to the final round, it might be prudent to see what this nonsense weather is going to do tomorrow. According to the Met Office, it will be mainly dry - with scattered showers in the morning. As for the wind, the maximum gust will be around 35mph which is around 15mph less than today. So there we are then."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at the Open

1858: "I think it was possibly the toughest putting conditions I have ever experienced on a golf course."
Defending champion Padraig Harrington after his round of 72

1855: McDowell, eight over for the day, has a putt for par at the 17th. It has not really been his day.

1852: McDowell, by the way, took a six at the 16th - a double bogey.

1851: Robert Allenby is seven over after a birdie at the 17th, level with playing partner Alexander Noren.

1850: "Just spoken to Ian Poulter and Justin Rose. Not happy bunnies. They all seem a bit shell-shocked, to be honest. Simon Wakefield wasn't, though. He was delighted and doesn't reckon he'll be able to sleep tonight."
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Royal Birkdale

1846: Choi drops a shot at the 15th so Norman has the lead on his own after the 53-year-old sinks a two-footer. Harrington finishes with a par for a round of 72. The Irishman is mounting a sterling defence of his title.

1845: "It's about time KJ Choi won a major. He has been playing well on the PGA tour for the last three years or so."
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1843: Brain melt update - Noren is of course over par and not under par. Corrected as necessary. Your vigilance is exemplary.

1840: A cracking hand for Harrington as he marches through the 18th green to where his ball has come to rest in a little hollow.

1837: McDowell drives into the rough at the 16th, moves the ball a yard with his second then finds the fairway with his third and is on the edge of the green in four. Not great chat.

1836: Villegas is now nine over for the day after a birdie at the 15th. He is seven off the lead after what has been a tricky day. He is not on his own.

1832: I take it back - Choi's tee shot at the 15th is just short of the bunker.

Norman, however, is in the sand.

1828: Harrington has a long putt for a three at the 17th. He runs it close and sinks the birdie putt to move to four over - one shot off the lead.

The steady and impressive Noren, in his first Open, pars the 15th. Noren is seven over, along with Anthony Kim, Ben Curtis and Ross Fisher.

1827: Norman finds the bunker at the 15th, Choi appears to have hit a cracking tee shot but it is blown left and also finds the sand.

1823: Norman has a nine foot putt for birdie at the 14th, which Choi has parred. The veteran Australian is being blown all over the shop but drills the ball straight into the hole to join Choi at the top of the leaderboard on three over. Great stuff.

1821: I've suffered a brain melt, Alexander Noren is Swedish, not Norwegian. The reference at 1813 has been corrected.

1818: A cracking approach from Norman at the 14th.

1817: "I can tell you that the last 20 players out on the course are collectively 150 over par."
BBC Sport commentator Sam Torrance

1815: A poor drive from McDowell at the 15th. The Northern Ireland golfer has bogeyed the last two holes and is six over for the round.

1813: Harrington drops a shot on the 16th, but no such problems for Sweden's Alexander Noren, who birdies to move to seven over. Norman pars the 13th.

1812: Choi moves into the outright lead with a birdie at 13. That is correct, a birdie.

1811: As things stand Stenson, Storm, Wood, Poulter, Noren, Furyk and McDowell are all tied ninth on eight over.

1808: Ian Poulter finishes with a 75 and is eight over - four off the lead. He wanted to be in the mix on the final day and is certainly that. No such joy for Van de Valde, who carded a round of 80 and is 14 over.

1807: Harrington's troubled 16th continues. From the rough to the bunker. That could be the title of a short book about my golf career.

1804: Furyk has dropped six shots in five holes. Villegas has double bogeyed the 16th. He is nine over for the day and going backwards at a rate of knots. Will his yoga help him now?

1801: "No doubt about it, Wakefield will start in the final group tomorrow, but will it be as co-leader or outright? If conditions are the same tomorrow, the winning score could be in double figures!!"
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1801: Choi and Norman both par the 12th. Harrington's drive at the 16th is wayward.

1800: Harrington sinks from four foot for a birdie at the 15th and becomes a co-leader. On the 14th, Furyk hits his tee shot through the green into the long stuff. He could not shift it with his first attempt so took a penalty drop and then chipped to within a couple of feet for a putt for a double bogey five, which he sinks. He is now eight over, four off the lead.

1755: Poulter fails to find the fairway at the 18th and is not amused. His bogey at 17 won't have helped. He is five over for the round.

1753: In all fairness Jean Van de Valde has had a shocker today but has just eagled 17. Robert Allenby is very much in the mix at seven under - three off the lead - after 14.

1752: A quick word on the weather forecast for tomorrow. Similar but, significantly, not as windy.

1751: "Patience was the key, it was very windy out there. It feels like I've run a marathon. Playing with Sergio was fantastic, we chatted all the way round.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself. I was very nervous this morning. I'm not going to think about anything, I'm just going to go and play golf."
Simon Wakefield after his superb 70

1748: Choi and Norman show some steely nerves to hole par putts at the 11th.

1745: It is all about who can hold their game together over the final few holes in terms of who leads overnight. Lots of rough, missed putts, errant drives...

Amateur Chris Wood has finished in 73. A top effort from him and a lead of four over the other remaining amateur Thomas Sherreard.

1742: Villegas plays an exquisite bunker shot at the par three 12th. Lots of sand blows in his extremely sculpted face. Cannot have those looks damaged can we?

1741: You may not be surprised to see Furyk back in the rough. Poulter hacks out at the 17th. Likewise, Choi in the long stuff. Chaos all over the shop.

1740: Some good news at last for Duval, who sinks a long putt to save par at the 14th. Harrington stops the rot with a par at the same hole. He remains five over and in the hunt.

1736: Camilo Villegas is no exception to the current struggles being experienced by the leaders. He double bogeyed the 10th and is now six over for the day. Both Villegas and playing partner Rocco Mediate are seven over on the leaderboard.

1734: "It may still be windy and sunny out there, but the temperature has plummeted over the last hour or so. The scene around the 18th is pretty impressive, there is not a free seat in the house as the crowd settle in to watch the late starters coming home. It's some theatre."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at Royal Birkdale

1731: They are having a nightmare at the 10th, with the ball wobbling on the green. Double bogey for Choi and Norman, who share the lead the Open at four over par. Simon Wakefield is sitting pretty in the clubhouse at five over. Harrington and Furyk are also five over. Lots of players find themselves back in contention.

1727: Choi is way short with a putt for bogey at the 10th. Norman has a 10ft putt for bogey with the wind blowing him all over the place. He too leaves his putt short. Very, very tricky out there. Harrington misreads a putt for birdie at the 13th but should save par.

"It is just a horrendous day weather-wise."
BBC commentator Peter Alliss

1724: Shots being dropped left, right and centre as Poulter falls to seven over after a bogey at the 15th. Lovely sunny afternoon mind, if very windy.

1720: Harrington back in the rough at the 13th. He is having a miserable half hour. Still, he smashes an amazing iron into the green.

Nightmare time for Furyk, who has dropped another shot.

Garcia finishes with a 74 and is nine over. Not really been his day. Furyk hacks out of the rough.

1714: A rueful smile from Harrington after his double bogey. Shots can disappear in no time. Still, at least the sun is shining.

Furyk seems to love the rough stuff. He is back in it at the 11th.

1712: Harrington in trouble at the short 12th. His tee shot finds a steep bank in the rough at the back of the green. He takes a double bogey and slips to five over - three off the lead.

1708: 10th tee update - Norman and Choi are still waiting, but Villegas and Mediate are playing the hole. Furyk and McDowell have finished. Furyk got a double bogey and drops two shots off the lead.

Wakefield sinks his par putt, he is five over and tied for fifth as things stand. He is three shots off the lead.

1704: Wakefield drills his approach to the par five 17th through to the back fringe of the green and should have a chance of at least a birdie.

1700: Villegas smashes his tee shot at the 10th into the rough, prompting one spectator to perform some kind of remarkable jig. He could not have looked more astonished had he found the Holy Grail.

1659: Garcia slips to nine over with a bogey at the 16th. Furyk's third at the 10th lands in the crowd at the left of the green. A poor putt from Harrington sees him drop a shot. Duval is 11 over for the day. Ouch.

1656: The clubhouse leaders are Ben Curtis after his round of 70, Ross Fisher after a 71 and Anthony Kim, who also carded a 71. They are seven over.

1654: "What a great Open. Lots of people still in with a chance. The wind is turning this into golf how it should be played. Not just target golf but players having to really think hard about how to play each shot. That 128 yard 5 iron 'chip' from Greg Norman was exquisite."
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1652: Poulter could not be closer to sinking a putt for a birdie at the 14th. Norman eats a chocolate bar. Them boys are having a right laugh at the 10 tee.

1650: Choi misses a birdie putt to regain the lead, as does Norman. Five groups are now in or around the 10th hole as a result of earlier delays involving balls moving in the wind.

Villegas looks very relaxed, sat on a table, legs crossed, ankle socks. A chilled out character as he shares a joke with Norman, who has just joined him.

1648: A magnificent up and down from Harrington at the 10th keeps him on top of the leaderboard.

1645: A few technical gremlins seem to be trying to mess us up just as things have gone into overdrive. Norman holes a birdie at the 8th and KJ Choi drops a shot and all of a sudden we have a four-way tie at the top.

1636: Choi bogeys the 8th and slips to two over in a three-way tie for the lead with with Furyk and Harrington. Poulter drops a shot as his putts drifts away close to the hole. Villegas drops a shot at the 9th. Make no mistake it is tough out there.

By Andrew McKenzie

1633: It is time for me to hit the road. I'll be pedalling home super fast to try and see the closing stages of what promises to be a cracking last couple of hours. Fletch will be your guide and I'll catch up with you tomorrow morning.

1632: Common sense prevails as Fredrik Jacobson is not penalised at the 10th for his ball moving in the bunker.

1630: Graeme Storm nearly holes a monster for a birdie at the last and he will sign for a solid 72. He'll start on eight over tomorrow and the way things are going that may not be out of contention.

1628: After looking a little nervy in the opening holes Norman is properly enjoying himself now. He's played some lovely approach shots in the last few holes and he finds the dance floor with another strong iron at the 8th.

1627: Another birdie from Simon Wakefield on the 14th after dropping a shot at the 13th and he sneaks into eighth place on six over.

1626: A good up and down from Ian Poulter sees him stay at five over. The young Englishman is looking decent and just needs to hang on in there over the closing holes.

1623: Some more ruling drama on the 10th hole as Fredrik Jacobson's ball seems to have moved in the bunker. If he has taken his stance then apparently he may be penalised. Seems crazy with these winds. The officials are trying to clear it up.

1621: Jim Furyk is on the charge. He birdies the 8th and then nails a 20-footer for another at the ninth. On a day like this consecutive birdies is more than a charge and he joins Harrington on two over.

1618: A beautiful bunker shot from KJ Choi sees him tap in for a par at the 7th and he maintains his two-shot advantage over the field.

1615: Goosen finishes with a birdie at the 17th and a par at the last for a 73. He's on nine over. His playing partner Justin Rose has had a shocker. A bogey-bogey finish sees him card an 82 and he will go into the last day on 18 over par. He'll need to chip in at every hole tomorrow to stand any chance of matching his performance in 1998.

1613: With all the movement at the top of teh leaderboard I forgot to mention a bit of magic from Ian Poulter at the 10th. He was forced to play a chip shot from the edge of the green that just pulled up about 10ft short, but he then popped in a difficult putt to save par.

1611: It's not looking pretty for everyone's favourite Frenchman either. Jean Van de Velde is eight over through 10 holes and also 12 over for the tournament. I don't think we are going to get that fairytale victory this year.

1610: Spare a thought for David Duval. After two days when he probably thought his game was coming back, he is back to earth with a Birkdale bump as he goes out in 44. He's 12 over par now. What a cruel game this is.

1608: Camilo Villegas misses the green on the 7th and despite a decent chip he is forced to drop back to four over.

1605: Even KJ Choi finds the 6th hole a tough nut and he drops two shots to go to one over par. Norman holes a decent one just to drop one shot. Things are tighter than John Daly's underpants at the top of the leaderboard.

1604: Padraig Harrington has an outside chance for a birdie at the 9th but he can't find the cup. He taps in for a 34 for the front nine. Solid stuff from the reigning champion.

1601: Drama all over the place. The first sign of struggles from KJ Choi as he finds the bunker and can only find the edge of the green on the 6th hole. Looks like he may drop his first shot of the day. Moments before that Villegas holed a good par putt at the same hole to remain nicely placed on three over, while Sergio Garcia (remember him?) holes a long putt for a birdie to go to eight over. He's still not out of it, not be a long shot.

1557: England's Simon Wakefield is going along very quietly but very nicely indeed. The 34-year-old has just birdied the 12th and is just one over for the day, six over for the tournament. He is tied or 10th place at the moment.

1555: "Villegas is kind of like a page 3 boy."
BBC golf expert Ken Brown

"It's nearly as windy down here in Sicily. Come on Poulter, I could make 400 big ones if he wins."
From Charlie, who is sitting at anchor waiting for his boss to arrive on his superyacht, via text.

What's so super about it Charlie?

1551: Choi's lead is extended when Harrington misses a tricky little putt for par on the eighth. A rare error from the Dubliner today as he drops back to two over.

1550: KJ Choi is human. The Korean has a great chance to extend his lead with a five footer for a birdie at the 5th, but he is off target.

"I was speaking quietly because I was in the studio Moley - not because I was out of breath! Downwind, it took me literally seconds to get back, though."
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Royal Birkdale

1547: Jay Williamson, who started with a birdie at the 1st hole, is finding life a little tougher now. He's dropped 10 shots in the last nine holes.

"Just had a visit from BBC Sport golf guru Rob Hodgetts and whilst he was regaining his composure after a punishing walk into the wind from the media centre who should walk in to the studio but Liverpool legends Alan Hansen and Kenny Dalglish. The two of them live virtually on the course so this is effectively their back garden the lucky beggars. So that's Lawro, Hansen and Dalglish in so far this week, whoever next? Bruce Grobbelaar? Steve McMahon? Torben Piechnik?"
BBC Sport's Mole at Royal Birkdale

1537: KJ Choi's nerves hold up with a tricky little put for par on the 4th hole to stay on one under.

1535: No such problems for Padraig Harrington as he makes no mistake with a seven footer for birdie at the 7th. He moves into second on his own.

1534: Greg Norman has a chance to pull one back on KJ Choi but his birdie effort is just short.

1532: Graeme McDowell holes a long putt at the 5th hole and he moves to four over. The leaderboard is looking good for Ireland at the moment.

1530: Greg Norman's slip allows KJ Choi to to extend his lead to three shots with another solid par. Nicknamed the tank, the 34-year-old Choi is going great guns at the moment. Sorry.

1526: Agony for Greg Norman as his short putt for par at the third rolls around the hole and stays above ground. He slips a shot back and into a tie for second with Harrington.

"It's a stormy day but the problems have been isolated ones. If we stop then we may have to stop for a couple of hours and if we come off we might take a while to get back on again. If we have balls blow off the greens on a regular basis we will have to react."
David Rickman of the R&A

1523: Ian Poulter sees a decent birdie opportunity just slide by at the 7th hole. He has a mixture of frustration and acceptance on his face. It's one of those days.

1521: Australia's Stuart Appleby lands a big birdie at the 7th, nailing a putt of at least 35ft to move to four over and a tie for sixth place.

1518: Retief Goosen is slowly undoing all of his good work on the front nine. Three bogeys in the first four holes on the back nine have seen him slip to eight over.

1515: I seem to have put the knockers on Jim Furyk already as he misses an 8ft putt for a par on the 4th hole to drop his first shot of the day.

"I can't believe I am hearing all this whingeing about a mild breeze. Try playing Nefyn, Bull Bay, Maes Du etc. This is were our handicaps come from in N Wales."
Paul, Denbigh Golf Club, via text.

1509: Greg Norman makes no mistake with his par putt at the 2nd hole. He remains on one over and two shots behind KJ Choi.

1506: KJ Choi is also looking comfortable in the conditions and a birdie putt on the 2nd just fails to turn, but that's an easy par.

1504: Jim Furyk is looking solid as he gets the aid of a deflection off Graeme McDowell's ball on the 3rd green. McDowell misses a short par putt and drops back to five over, while Furyk gets a third consecutive par with a solid finish.

"Curtis in at +7 looks pretty decent. I reckon he'll be fairly close to the lead at the end of the day."
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"Re 14.38: So the mole has hair. That's a start...."
Anonymous, via text on 8111

1457: Padraig Harrington nails a tricky par putt at the 4th, while at the second Camilo Villegas also makes a difficult par putt after a bogey at the opening hole.

1455: After a steady start Ian Poulter drops a second shot in three holes at the difficult 6th. He's at five over now.

1453: The shocking numbers are continuing to come in as South Africa's Thomas Aiken drops nine shots in four holes. He cards a bogey at the 10th, a quadruple bogey at the 11th, a triple at the 12th and a bogey at the 13th. He parred the 14th if that was any consolation.

1451: Greg Norman finds the green with a wedge at the 1st but it is well short of the hole. He misses his long putt for a par and slips back to one over, while KJ Choi plays a wonderful bunker shot and saves par. The Korean leads by two strokes.

1447: The players at the 10th hole finally put their ball down after play was suspended because of the rain. The decision is greeted by huge cheers from the crowd.

1446: Greg Norman finds his ball in the jungle but uses all his power to chop one out on to the fairway.

1441: Greg Norman tees off at the 1st hole. No messing about from the Great White Shark as he pulls out the driver. Not a wise move though as he finds rough. KJ Choi takes note and gets the iron out to send it straight down the middle.

1441: Ben Curtis holes a par putt at the last for a round of 70. Good work by the 2003 champ.

1438: Play has been delayed on the 8th green as well and Nick Dougherty takes the opportunity to have a little sit down. He's dropped seven shots in five holes so he probably needs it.

1436: Major drama at the 10th green as Anthony Kim is in discussions with officials. It appears that there may have been some ball movement on the greens. They may have to suspend play if it gets worse.

1433: Ben Curtis gets a bit of luck at the last as his second shot bounces over the bunker and finishes up on the dance floor.

1431: Camilo Villegas tees off on the 1st tee and just runs into the rough. He's what he had to say after yesterday's wonderful 65: "I love playing here. I love the different conditions, I love the different shots. I love the fact that you have to use your imagination and hit all those funky shots." I wonder what he will make of the winds today.

1430: Another dropped shot for David Duval at the second after his second hole landed in the crowd. Padraig Harrington also bogeys as a 10ft putt slides on by the hole.

1428: Sergio Garcia has found himself knee deep in the rough stuff on the 8th. The Spaniard, who is seven over, can only thrash the ball 20 yards down the fairway.

1425: Graeme McDowell is on the 1st hole. He's having to hit a wood for his second shot as a 25mph wind blows across him. As he came off the practice ground he said he was hitting a three iron just 150 yards. You would be expecting the pros to be hitting a seven iron further than that.

1424: Ben Curtis just slides a birdie putt past the hole at the 17th. A par at the last and he would match Davis Love for the lowest round of the day of 70.

1422: The sound of something crashing in the media tent could have been Sean O'Hair chucking his clubs through a window. The American was heading for a decent round before a nine-seven finish saw him card an 80.

1420: "Very concerned for the crowds out there plodding the paths at Royal Birkdale as I am sure they didn't pack any sunblock this morning. The sky is now bright blue and the sun is beating down. There are bound to be some red necks and faces later today. Shame about the howling wind really which is upping the ante as we speak. It's all getting a bit hairy in the media tent and every now and again there is the sound of something crashing which does not inspire a lot of confidence to be honest.

"I also have a celeb spot well, celeb-ish. Earlier I saw ITV Sport football commentator Clive Tyldesley walking along the first fairway - it doesn't get better than that does it?"
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at Royal Birkdale

1416: After a shocker of a start Adam Scott has pulled a shot back by holing a long putt at the fifth. He's two over for the round and six over for the tournament.

1414: Mixed news for former champions at the 1st hole. Padraig Harrington's birdie putt rolls up just short at the 1st hole but he taps in for a par. David Duval, meanwhile, also pops in a short putt but it is for a seven after having to take a drop.

By Paul Fletcher

1410: I'm handing back to Andrew McKenzie for a couple of hours of hours but rest assured I'll be rejoining you later to take you through the remainder of the third round. Enjoy.

They say Saturday is moving day - but in which direction?

1407: "The sun is shining, the wind is blowing. I'm pretty excited."
Camilo Villegas looks forward to getting out there.

1404: Duval finds heavy, heavy rough with his second at the 1st. We'll not be seeing him for a while. Harrington goes with a four iron and finds the green.

1403: Ben Curtis fails to sink a long birdie putt at the 16th. The American was one under for his round at one stage but has slipped back to level after three bogeys on the back nine.

1401: Duval has trouble keeping his ball on the tee at the first. No drama as he creams an iron down the first.

Harrington has something in his eye but, like Duval, smashes his ball down the fairway. It comes to rest very close to Duval's.

1400: David Duval and Padraig Harrington on the first tee as KJ Choi and Greg Norman hit a few balls on the practice ground.

1352: Cracking approach to the second by Poulter, who has been sounding pretty confident in interviews.

Garcia misses a par putt at the 5th. Not happy. Two over for the day and the Spaniard throws his putter away. Euro 2008 this is not.

Mike Weir chips in from off the green for a birdie at the 16th.

1349: Goosen reaches the turn in 33. Rose is out in 42. Shocker.

Dave Horsey has bogeyed the first three holes to slip to seven over. Horsey had a 64 at Lytham in amateur championship qualifying last year so knows a thing or two about links golf.

1347: Bad hat chat for Mickleson, as his baseball cap blows off his head, across the fairway and into the bunker. Got to see the funny side.

1345: "It is going to be an absolute brute out there. If I can just survive and give myself a chance for tomorrow afternoon, then that is what I am aiming for."
Graeme McDowell, who added that he had a couple of bowls of confidence for breakfast

1343: Poulter - pink jumper, white trousers. No check? He finds a bunker next to the green at the first but plays a great shot out of the sand and achieves par with a shortish putt. Van de Valde has to settle for a bogey after narrowly missing with a long par putt.

Goosen almost drains a long birdie putt at the 8th. Settles for par. Playing partner Rose is having a torrid time - he is now 14 over for the tournament after dropping another shot at the 8th.

1340: "It doesn't look that tough out there, there's no rain as yet so that'll help. I know myself I hate wind and rain together but don't mind if it's windy or if it's just rain.

"For me, this is the Open, how it should be, very windy with the pins so bent you think they're gonna break, bright sunshine and some great, great recovery shots."
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1329: Amateur Chris Wood has bogeyed three of his first four holes to slip to eight over. He is battling for the silver medal as the best amateur with Thomas Sherreard, who is nine over after eight.

1327: Wakefield is an inch away from a birdie at the 3rd. He remains five over for the tournament. Garcia manages to stay at six over after his putt for par at the same hole just finds the hole.

1322: Mickelson bogeyed three holes in succession after the turn but has stopped the rot with a par at the 13th.

Retief Goosen is level for the day after a birdie at the 7th. Faring better than playing partner Rose then.

1320: Not going at all well for Justin Rose, who has carded four bogeys and a double bogey in the first six holes. He is 12 over.

1317: Plenty of blue sky over Birkdale now. I wonder if the weather will be as bad as predicted this afternoon?

1316: "Come on everyone - let's collectively send good vibes to Jean Van der Velde, 4 over after 2 rounds and well in touch. If he won it'd be the golf story of the century. Allez Jean!"
Steven, in Tulse Hill, via text on 8111

The Frenchman will be out on the course soon, playing with Ian Poulter.

1313: Garcia drops a shot at the second. No such problems for playing partner Wakefield, who is par, par so far.

1311: A quick word on Jay Williamson. The American is one under for the day, four over for the tournament, after a birdie on the first.

1309: "In this wind it's more about making good decisions and good strategy. It's far more important what clubs you hit and what you're trying to do than the execution.

"It's still a long way to go, 36 holes, so whatever happens today the main thing is to try and keep yourself in a position so you're still in there with nine holes to go tomorrow."
Words of wisdom from defending champion Padraig Harrington.

Harrington is out at 1400 BST and playing with David Duval.

1305: "Come on Graeme Storm!"
His mate Nick, at work in Azerbaijan, via text on 81111

Wow, how much did that text cost?

Phil Mickelson is five over after 12, which he has just parred. No such joy for Ben Curtis, who misses his par putt, which rolls several feet past the hole. Very tricky putting. Curtis holds his nerve for a bogey and he is now one under for the round.

1303: "Some sunny spells breaking through over Birkdale. Summer's here at last. Still windy, though. Standing overlooking the short 12th at the remote seaward-side of the course, the breeze is honking. Some gusts are enough to knock you backwards unless you're tethered down by a large breakfast/lunch. It's forecast to get stronger, too, between about 2pm and 4pm this afternoon.

"Earlier at the 12th, Lucas Glover's ball landed in someone's pocket to the left of the green. He had to drop it where the spectator was standing, chipped on and sank the putt for par. No word on the spectator, though. It was before I got there."
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Royal Birkdale

1301: A tremendous up and down from Garcia, who pars the first. Goosen sinks a birdie putt at the 5th. He is one over the for the day. And hold the back page - the sun is shining. Don't think for a minute that the wind has dropped.

1258: Monty finishes with a bogey for a round of 74. Stenson pars the last for a superb 70. If only he had not double bogeyed the 16th.

See the photos

1249: "It is going to be a tough day and I have will to stay patient."
Ian Poulter on his plans for the third round

1246: Sergio Garcia and Simon Wakefield are under way. Both go out at five over. Garcia smashes an iron down the middle of the fairway on the 1st. Maybe he has forgotten about that missed putt on the 18th yesterday.

Anders Hansen is one under for day after a birdie at the 3rd. Playing partner Graeme Storm likewise.

1245: "I had a walk over to the practice ground to watch the pros try to get a handle on the wind before starting their rounds. Rising star Anthony Kim absolutely nailed several drives but the shots did not impress his girlfriend, who paid little attention before walking off. Unbelievable. Leading amateur Chris Wood looked very relaxed with his team, laughing and joking before spanking balls into the grey yonder. They make it look easy this lot."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at Royal Birkdale

1241: Tom Lehman misses a putt for par at the 7th. Back to even for him today. Henrik Stenson is an inch away with a long eagle putt at the 17th. Taps in for the birdie. A five for Monty at the same hole.

1240: "I was very patient and did not try to force it and 70 is a heck of a score out there. It was my best round of the week."
Davis Love III after an excellent third round

1236: Leading amateur Chris Wood has just teed off at the 1st.

1235: Bunker time for Rose at the 3rd but he plays an exquisite shot to within five feet of the hole. However, he misses a short putt to drop another shot and move to eight over. Davis Love III has gone round in a very respectable 70 to finish nine over. One bogey, one birdie in a very consistent round.

1231: Tom Lehman birdies the 6th. That puts the 49-year-old in a pretty exclusive club this week.

1230: Differing fortunes at 16. Monty sinks a putt for a birdie to move 11 over. Stenson chunters angrily to himself after a double bogey. The Swede took four from the edge of the green. He is now nine over.

1227 (See 1216) "No, I sit inside the house and watch the drops at the window. Did sprint to the bakery though to stock up on baps (for my 2 bacon baps)."
Thanks A lot BBC7 on 606
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I get it, just enjoy watching others struggling along.

By the way, splendidsatish on 606 asks when Ian Poulter starts his round. He is off with Jean Van de Velde at 1330 BST.

1225: Ben Curtis reaches the turn in 31. Sensational from the former Open champion. He could put himself very much in the mix if he can keep this going.

1225: "Come on the White Shark Greg Norman, backed him at 270/1, laying �4! Roll back the years..."
Anonymous via text on 81111

Norman and KJ Choi are the last out today at 1440 BST. Assuming, of course, the wind doesn't become so strong that play is suspended.

1220: The wind is incredibly strong at Birkdale today as Goosen just misses a longish putt for birdie at the second. No mistake with his putt for par though.

1216: "I prefer the stormy, challenging, changing, rainy golf to the sunny, balmy 32 under par golf of California & Co, give me Birkdale any time, as the true greats emerge from it."
Thanks A lot BBC7 on 606
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Trust you have got some good raingear?

1214: Top action from Swede Henrik Stenson, who has just birdied the 15th with a long, long putt. He is one under for the day.

1213: Els, by the way, is 13 over for the tournament.

1209: Ernie Els sinks a putt for par at the last for a round of 74. It has not been easy for, well, the Big Easy. Ben Curtis seems to be finding it to his liking though in the blustery conditions. He has just got par at the eighth.

1208: Good afternoon, though not perhaps for Rose, who misses a short putt for par at the 1st. Goosen also bogeys. Ouch.

By Andrew McKenzie

1204: It is time for me to hand over the Birkdale baton to Fletch for a couple of hours while I go and brave the winds outside Television Centre. Keep the texts coming in on 81111 and the chat on 606 and I'll catch up with you again in a couple of hours.
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1202: Justin Rose and Retief Goosen, both of whom are on six over par, get their third rounds under way. Goosen finds a bit of rough on the left but then punches a shot which catches the front right of the green and ends up looking in decent shape.

1158: Ben Curtis is back to four over after holing his putt for a birdie at the 7th. The American is going along very nicely indeed.

1156: "It was tough, I thought we might get an advantage going out early but it was tough and cold and so to shoot 71 is pleasing. Anything around 72 to level par is going to be really good. At the start of the week I thought four 72s would be good enough not to have to qualify next year. You are not really thinking birdies out there."
England's Simon Kahn after firing a 71

1153: Paul Casey taps his putt in for a birdie at the last. He has carded a 73 and finishes on 12 over for the tournament.

1152: That bogey at the 6th has not affected Ben Curtis as he knocks his tee shot to about eight feet from the flag at the 7th.

1149: Paul Casey's adventurous round is coming to a close. Two birdies, two double bogeys and two bogeys only tell part of the story. He looks like he will finish on a high as he sticks a wedge stone dead at the last.

1147: Ben Curtis gets away with a decent lie at the 6th but after a decent chip his putt for par is weak and comes up short. He drops his first shot of the day and is back to five over.

"I'm clutching a 28-1 betting slip in my sweaty paws with the name of Jim Furyk on it, if he wins I can fill the car with petrol next week..."
Vrasley on 606
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1141: Birkdale is not a safe place to be if you're a spectator at the moment. A couple of stray shots have landed on the full into the crowds. Man of the moment Ben Curtis flies a fairway wood into the crowd at the 6th.

"I tipped Curtis from well before the start. He's had reasonable form on PGA tour and having won an Open before and finished 8th last year its clear he isn't afraid of conditions. Wish I'd put more than 50p each way on him now though!"
horsetipster on 606
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1130: Monty has just driven at the 12th and as he walks off he is heard to say something to the officials about play being suspended. He said the balls are already moving because of the wind. Not a happy man, not by any stretch.

1129: Ben Curtis seems to be loving these conditions as he holes a 25ft putt from off the green for a birdie at 5th. He's three under for the day and four over for the tournament.

1124: A birdie putt for Paul Casey lips out as his miserable day continues, but better luck for Mike Weir as he sees a 12-footer slide in the side door. The Canadian is back to eight over.

1122: Some minor drama for Henrik Stenson, who birdied the 9th and is level par for the day, as his ball lands at the feet of a young woman by the green. After she is finally given permission to move he chips to 20ft and then holes the putt for a par.

1120: Another hole and another dropped shot from Lee Westwood I'm afraid. He's now on 18 over and in dead last place of the players who survived the cut.

1115: Blimey O'Reilly, we have a player under par. No seriously. Former champion Ben Curtis is two under after an eagle at the 3rd hole. All it took was holing a long iron from downtown. The 2003 winner has moved himself up to 5 over. We needed that.

1112: Another bogey for Colin Montgomerie and he is down to 12 over. We've not had sight of the big Scot so far but I'm sure he's putting a brave face on it...

1110: "It was tough the first two days but that was brutal, especially the back nine. We wanted to beat the wind and we have just beaten the rain. The putting has been really hard - staying still is really hard. Anything around 73 or 74 would feel like under par."
Phillip Archer after his third-round 78

1108: A bogey at the second hole for Phil Mickelson drops him back to eight over.

1103: The Open may be the most important sporting event today, but it's not the only one. England's cricketers will be hoping for better weather than Birkdale over at Headingley. The start has been delayed by rain but is set to get under way at 1115. Mark Mitchener will be keeping you up-to-date with all the goings on up in Leeds.
England v South Africa

1100: Phillip Archer is back in the clubhouse, three and a half hours after teeing off this morning. He carded a 78 and is 17 over for the tournament. At least he can claim he is the clubhouse leader!.

1058: "Am going for a walk on the course. I reckon it's safer out there. The wind is buffeting our media 'marquee' so much the creaking and groaning makes it sound like a Jean-Michelle Jarre concert. Mind you, I'll have to thread my way around the wreckage of the early starters."
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Royal Birkdale

"Why does it matter what nationality the winner is? Golf is an individual sport, the players are representing themselves and not their country. Not wanting somebody to win because he is American is not far short of Xenaphobia!"
Bentinho on 606
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1054: Monty reaches in 37, three over par for the day after a couple of pars at the 8th and 9th. Paul Casey allows another shot to slip away with a bogey at the short 14th. The pair are both on 11 over for the tournament.

1047: US Masters champion Trevor Immelman is having an up and down day. A birdie and two bogeys in his first four holes and he has slipped a shot to nine over.

1045: Big Phil Mickelson's third round is up and running. He's even managed a par at the opening hole. At seven over he will consider himself to be still well in contention for a first Claret Jug.

1042: The first hole has done for former US Masters champ Mike Weir. A double bogey for the Canadian has dropped him to nine over.

1038: Monty doesn't look like he's going to be making much progress up the leaderboard today. A couple of bogeys at 6 and 7 and he is at 11 over.

1034: As the Mole told us earlier, Nick Faldo is a guest in the TV studios up at Birkdale. The chat has turned to the Ryder Cup and a certain Colin Montgomerie. Faldo is keeping his cards close to his chest, but he said: "He has enough events to make a big move." He is also looking for a bit of experience with his two wild card picks.

1033: Phillip Archer, who was first out this morning, has dropped three shots in two holes and is now 17 over par with a couple of holes to go. I bet he cannot wait to get in that clubhouse.

1030: The R and A's rules chap has just been speaking to BBC One. Not promising chat it has to be said. He reckons the winds are about 20mph at the moment and 30mph on the clubhouse roof. If they get much worse then they may have to take the players off the course. the last time they did that at the Open was 10 years ago at Birkdale.

1026: We've had our first words of wisdom from the BBC's on course expert Ken Brown. He says Royal Birkdale "is looking a million dollars, the bunkers are beatifully manicured and the greens are maybe a little slower this morning due to the breeze." Brown also gave a great tip for spectators at Birkdale on keeping out of the winds. It's all about finding a spot in the thick rough and crouching down.

1020: Apologies if you're reading - or attempting to read this - on your mobile. Apparently we have been having all kinds of technical issues. Hopefully things will be sorted soon. The good news is BBC One's coverage has started and I can catch up on what we have missed in the last half an hour or so.

"Bobby Jones was an amateur when he won it in the 1920s. He was the last."
supertaps on 606
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Sorry Moley. I never meant to doubt your commitment.

0951: I've just heard from our very own Mark Orlovac up in Birkdale about the movement of the tees. The long 6th has gone from 499 to 486 yards, while the 11th and 16th have seen significant changes. The 11th has gone from 436 yards to 358, while the 16th is 371 yards instead of 439. If you are reading on the web here's some more from the boy Orlo.
Blustery Birkdale ready to bite

0948: Some good and bad news for the Brits as Paul Casey pops in consecutive birdies at the 7th and 8th and reaches the turn level par for the day, nine over for the tournament. But not so good for Monty as he dropped a shot at the second.

"I've got the official Met Office forecast in my hands and things are going to get very tasty this afternoon. Gusts of up to 46mph just as KJ Choi and Greg Norman begin their rounds. Have some of that. This media tent is rattling like a good 'un this morning, but at the moment everything is holding firm. Just."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at Royal Birkdale

Wind? Rain? I remember being at Turnberry in 1986 when the first three days were wild - a certain Greg Norman won the Claret Jug and indeed was the only man to break par. An omen perhaps?
RangersV600 on 606
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"How much further are they after moving the 6, 11, 16 tees? How bad is the wind? Cheers guys and good luck Padraig."
sirbenson23 on 606
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I'll try and find out from our team at Birkdale. Leave it with me sirbenson23.

0924: Some good news for the Brits at last as Paul Casey pops in a birdie at the 7th. He's back to 10 over. Meanwhile Monty pars the 1st hole. The charge is on!

"Does anyone remember my message on Thursday? I've got a tenner each way on Chris Woods to win it. He needs to be top six! 1001/1 I got! Tiger might not be here but another Wood can still win it! When did the last amateur win the Open?
Azza_UK on 606
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0910: Colin Montgomerie has started his third round along with Sweden's Henrik Stenson. How will Monty get on today? Can the big man put together a run at the title? The good news is that 606 is now open. Why don't you head on over there and allow me to brighten up a gloomy morning with some of your glorious chat.
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0856: Is there a happier man in the world at the moment than Greg Norman? not content with recently marrying tennis legend Chris Evert, he's only gone and put himself into contention to win the Open at the grand old age of 53. The Great White Shark puts his form down to Evert, adding:"Happiness in life reflects in lots of things - not just golf. We're soulmates and so compatible." Heart-warming stuff.

Hodgo (0813) - not so good for young Wood the amateur then - at 6 foot 5 he's the tallest player out there today!
Dauey G from Kent via text

Windy day? Compact player. Low centre of gravity. Stocky chopper. Low scuttlers. Seventy percent swing. KJ Choi, Mike Weir, Scott Verplank?
Paddy from Liverpool via text

0851: Just as I finished writing that Argentina's Andres Romero goes and pops in a birdie at the 3rd to move to eight over. That's more like it.

0848: We have had just one birdie from the early starters so far, from England's Simon Khan at the 2nd hole. However, he promptly bogeyed the 3rd and the 5th and is back to 10 over. It's tough going out there folks.

"Because of the wind the tees have been brought forward on 6, 11 and 16. And it's so windy they've taken starter Ivor Robson's umbrella down. Hope it doesn't rain. Still, he seems quite chipper about it."
Rob Hodgetts, BBC Sport at Royal Birkdale

0813: As well as the leaders, the BBC's TV people will be enjoying an extended stay under the duvet this morning. Their coverage will get started at 1000 BST on BBC One. Fear not, there is no rest for our on course team. Here's some early chat from Rob 'Hodgo' Hodgetts:

"Limbering up with a few practice swings in my living room this morning - it's got high ceilings, perfect for a full swing, though you do have to shift the furniture around a bit - I couldn't help but notice how blimmin' windy it is here today. The marine lake outside our house had whitehorses on it and the window frames were rattling. My tip for the day - bet on a short player. Less likely to get blown over."
Rob Hodgetts, BBC Sport at Royal Birkdale

"Can Monty pull out a miracle? Bad weather seems to suit the old timers! What am I saying - must be still dreaming!"
Chas from Aberdeen via text

0755: It may be a few hours before the leaders get off and running, but there are plenty of big names to keep your eye on this morning. England's Paul Casey has just teed off, Lee Westwood at 0800 and former Open champ Ernie Els is up at 0810 just for starters.
Third round tee times

0749: Owing to there being an odd number of player making the cut, Archer is having to play his third round on his own. He's not messing about either, he's rattled off pars at the first two holes already. He must be playing some sort of speed golf.

0735: The leaders will be enjoying a well earned lie in this morning, with KJ Choi and Greg Norman not teeing off until 1440 BST, but the third round is already under way. England's Phillip Archer got things off and running about five minutes ago.

0730: Ever since my auntie and uncle took me to Troon in 1989 the Open weekend has been the highlight of the annual sporting calendar for me. But this is YOUR special weekend, so let me know your Open memories, thoughts or hopes. Get in touch via text on 81111 or you can get involved on 606 after it opens at 0900 BST.
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0725: Welcome to our coverage of the third round of the Open. If you are not as excited as a small child in a large all-you-can-eat sweet shop then either you need your head examined or you've clicked on this page by mistake.