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End game at Carnoustie

Every now and then - very rarely, mind you - we at The Times and Times Online like to feel good about ourselves. Now is one such moment. After years of showering them with humiliation, our rule-bending and totally hypothetical version of the Ryder Cup has given success-starved Americans something to cheer about. Well done to the US, who triumphed 28-20 in probably the only virtual, continental-based team golf competition in the world. And what sweet irony that, as one chapter comes to a close and the American players look forward to competing for the real trophy next year, another one opens for European golf as it enjoys its first Major victory since 1999. Congratulations to Padraig Harrington and, if you're still unsure as to how we came up with this madcap plan, click here for a reminder of the rules.

Match 1: Ian Poulter 70 v 70 Zach Johnson Match halved
Match 2: Nicolas Fasth 71 v 76 Jerry Kelly 1pt Europe
Match 3: David Howell 75 v 69 Mark Calcavecchia 1pt USA
Match 4: Raphael Jacquelin 79 v 73 Boo Weekley 1pt USA
Match 5: Anders Hansen 76 v 73 Lucas Glover 1pt USA
Match 6: Carl Petterson 72 v 74 Aaron Oberholser 1pt Europe
Match 7: Luke Donald 78 v 78 Scott Verplank Match halved
Match 8: Lee Westwood 74 v 70 Tiger Woods 1pt USA
Match 9: Paul Casey 72 v 71 Jim Furyk 1pt USA
Match 10: Justin Rose 70 v 70 Stewart Cink Match halved
Match 11: Padraig Harrington 67 v 75 Chris DiMarco 1pt Europe
Match 12: Sergio Garcia 73 v 74 Steve Stricker 1pt Europe

Overall score: Europe: 20pts US: 28pts

Overnight score - Europe: 14.5pts US: 21.5pts

(Day One - Europe: 5pts US: 7pts. Day Two - Europe: 5.5pts US: 6.5pts Day Three - Europe: 4pts US: 8pts Day Four - Europe: 5.5pts US: 6.5pts)

Harrington wins!

The Dubliner has done it, sinking a nasty six-footer. Europe finally has a major-tournament winner again, as does Ireland. It has been a brilliant fourth round.

Garcia misses

He's taken two. Harrington will putt for the title.

Garcia gives himself a chance

The Spaniard has invoked the spirit of Seve and hit a beautiful approach to the green, a six-iron shot through 203 yards that lands level with the pin albeit about 12 feet from the hole.
Several screams of "Espana!"later, Harrington hits his second about six feet further from its target. Garcia, then, needs to putt in one to stay alive, Harrington to win the championship.
Don't forget that you can contribute to this commentary by posting your thoughts in the box below. Entry of the day goes to Matt Greenhill, who writes, "Reading your comments online from a warship at sea. Can't believe Garcia has let it slip again. Keep the commentary going.  Does he have no killer instinct? Vamos Garcia."

Harrington leads by two, still

Tough on Garcia. Both players took two on the green, but Garcia almost sank a difficult first, the ball curving a path around the rim of the hole before rolling out.
Harrington looked less convincing, hitting a tentative approach putt when it required a strong hand to beat a slight slope and find the hole. He still leads by two, though, and only the 18th remains.

And you thought THEY were nervous

While all this drama is unfolding at Carnoustie, I'm trying to work out if we've got all the angles covered. I've got six of the best golf writers in the business alongside me at the moment, and they don't work for the Daily Telegraph.

Is the balance right with the commentary? Do we need more on Harrington's background? Will Garcia ever recover if he loses the playoff? Are we doing justice to an amazing story?

And then there are the palpitations. I know the whole world is given to superlatives these days, but can anyone recall a more exciting conclusion to the Open Championship?

Harrington stays strong

To the 17th. They're both on the green after strong approach shots but Harrington is at least half as close to the pin at, estimating from this east London view, about eight foot. The advantage lies heavily with the Irishman.

But Harrington holds his nerve

Garcia needed two putts to complete the hole after missing a 15-footer while Harrington took the same number after an excellent approach from the long grass. Harrington leads by two with two to play. 

Garcia fights back

The Spaniard has hit the flag with his tee shot at the 16th, setting him up for a two, while Harrington has taken two to get within four feet of the hole. Garcia needs to sink this to draw one back.

Harrington takes two-shot lead

Almost without fault on the greens today, Harrington has taken one putt where Garcia needed two and a chip, giving the Irishman a potentially critical two-shot lead. More impressively still, the commentators admired the birdie-equivalent without wheeling out a Irish-eyes-smiling or luck-of-the-Irish cliche.

He's missed!

Around the cup and out. It's a play-off. Holes one, 16, 17 and 18, Harrington versus Garcia.

A fine chip

Garcia is within six foot of the hole. His playing partner, Stricker, has two-putted to finish with 74.

Garcia's in the bunker

It isn't a bad lie, but the pressure ...

Harrington gets home

One putt and in. The Irishman has finished with 67, a fine score but two more than seemed likely a couple of errant drives ago. A potential four shots from the title, Garcia has found the fairway from the tee.  Whatever happens, a European will win the Open.

Garcia gets closer

Padraig chipped to within holing distance of the 18th pin, but Garcia has made his par on the 17th andeffectively leads by one.

He's done it again

Yup, Harrington's back in the water and the championship is shifting to Garcia. Even if the Irishman finishes in two, that will leave him on seven-under, currently one shot behind the Spaniard.

Harrington hits the water!

After barely making a mistake all day, Harrington has found the Barry Burn from the 18th tee, while Garcia has secured his par on the 17th by landing a tricky putt. Which effectively means they share the lead again.
A moment earlier, Ernie Els took two putts at the last to complete a fine round of 69, giving him a share of fourth place at five-under. Playing alongside him, Paul Broadhurst finished with 72 to end on a respectable two-under and in joint 12th, ensuring him a place at the Open next year. 

Romero happy in the clubhouse

Harrington and Garcia share the lead, three shots ahead of Romero, but the Irishman is the man in pole given that he lies only two holes from the finish and Garcia has struggled frequently just to hold par.
The dreams of victory Romero had earlier in the day have surely faded but he is happy nonetheless. "I played really well today," he said, after finishing with 67. "The truth is that despite the bogey at the last I am very emotional. It is a tournament I've always liked and watched at home and wanted to play in."
Thanks to Gary Lineker for translating these quotes.

Unofficial Ryder Cup: America triumph!

Needing only three points today to make up for recent Ryder Cup humiliations, the US have triumphed easily in our imaginary competition, winning four of the first eight completed match-plays and halving two. The latest scores are below. Click here for a reminder of the rules.

Match 1: Ian Poulter 70 v 70 Zach Johnson Match halved
Match 2: Nicolas Fasth 71 v 76 Jerry Kelly 1pt Europe
Match 3: David Howell 75 v 69 Mark Calcavecchia 1pt USA
Match 4: Raphael Jacquelin 79 v 73 Boo Weekley 1pt USA
Match 5: Anders Hansen 76 v 73 Lucas Glover 1pt USA
Match 6: Carl Petterson 72 v 74 Aaron Oberholser 1pt Europe
Match 7: Luke Donald 78 v 78 Scott Verplank Match halved
Match 8: Lee Westwood 74 v 70 Tiger Woods 1pt USA
Match 9: Paul Casey 72 v Jim Furyk
Match 10: Justin Rose 70 v Stewart Cink
Match 11: Padraig Harrington v Chris DiMarco
Match 12: Sergio Garcia v Steve Stricker

Overall score: Europe: 17.5pts US: 26.5pts

Overnight score - Europe: 14.5pts US: 21.5pts

(Day One - Europe: 5pts US: 7pts. Day Two - Europe: 5.5pts US: 6.5pts Day Three - Europe: 4pts US: 8pts)

Harrington and Garcia share the lead on nine-under, while Romero has faded to six-under after a double-bogey and bogey from the final two holes. That is still, though, the clubhouse lead.

Harrington looking good

The leaders are shuffling constantly for position. His eighth birdie of the day at the 15th gave Romero a two-shot lead but he has found trouble at the next while Garcia has pulled one back at the 13th.
Rising to that pair's example, Harrington has responded with a three at the par-five 14 that hauls him alongside Romero. Yet to drop a shot and smiling despite the pressure, Harrington looks the most assured of the three. But that could change. This is a player famous for frequently finishing second. Stay logged. 

A teaser

Who was that Irishman that won the Open in 1947? That's right, Fred Daly, proud son of Antrim.

Harrington takes joint-lead

Could the Dubliner become the first Irishman in 60 years to win a major? Certainly nobody looks in better touch than him the moment. He has just picked up his fourth birdie of the day at the eleventh after the sweetest of second shots and joined Garcia at seven-under. One behind them is Ernie Els.

Tiger comes up short

Tiger's hopes of challenging for his third consecutive Open have all but ended despite a solid round of two-under par. Starting the day on par, the world No1 needed to produce one of his magical efforts to rival Garcia & co but instead has reached the 16th five adrift of the lead.
Padraig Harrington, however, has crept into potentially a match-winning position, scoring three birdies in ten holes to move to six-under par. That's just one shot from the shared lead Garcia and Romero, and last-named looks likely to ship a couple after troubling a bush on the 12th. This could go the wire.

Garcia struggles, the US scent victory

Brilliant shot. While Garcia takes three putts on the seventh, Romero holes from the bunker on the eleventh to move only a shot behind the now-struggling Spaniard.
You, though, will be more interested to read that the US need only half a point to win our improvised Ryder Cup. See below for the latest scores, click here for an explanation of how it works.

Match 1: Ian Poulter 70 v Zach Johnson
Match 2: Nicolas Fasth 71 v 76 Jerry Kelly 1pt Europe
Match 3: David Howell 75 v 69 Mark Calcavecchia 1pt USA
Match 4: Raphael Jacquelin 79 v 73 Boo Weekley 1pt USA
Match 5: Anders Hansen 76 v Lucas Glover
Match 6: Carl Petterson 72 v 74 Aaron Oberholser 1pt Europe
Match 7: Luke Donald 78 v 78 Scott Verplank Match halved
Match 8: Lee Westwood v Tiger Woods
Match 9: Paul Casey v Jim Furyk
Match 10: Justin Rose v Stewart Cink
Match 11: Padraig Harrington v Chris DiMarco
Match 12: Sergio Garcia v Steve Stricker
Overall score: Europe: 17pts US: 24pts
(Overnight score - Europe: 14.5pts US: 21.5pts)

...and misses

Still, Green's 64 equals the course record and sets a target of six-under that others must beat, including Garcia who failed to sink his long putt on the fifth and slipped back to nine-under.
Fortunately for him so did Stricker, so he slips back to the pack at six-under, three behind Sergio. The tension gathers.

Green eyes history

Progressing almost stroke for stroke, Garcia and Stricker have scored birdies at the third and fourth respectively, though the Spaniard looks likely to drop a stroke at the fifth.
If he does, the gap between them will reduce to two, with a group of three now at three under - where Andres Romero has joined Ernie Els and Richard Green.
On the 18th green, Green is shaping up for a putt that will give him a 63, the joint-best score for a single round at the Open.

There's tension - and there's this

If nerves could make harsh metallic noises, they would be jangling around the hordes of journalists at Carnoustie this afternoon. The progress of the pack that started the day on 210 means that Garcia will have to pick up shots if he wants to walk off with the Claret Jug this evening. I know we're supposed to be unbiased and all that, but none of us wants to see the Championship won by an anonymity so if El Nino is going to struggle, let's hope somebody like Harrington or McGinley can make a late surge. At five and six shots off the lead they have a lot of work to do, but Ernie Els is timing his run to perfection and is only four behind Garcia. The progress of Robert Green disturbs me - as does the portent that accompanies the sudden arrival of Ben Curtis on the leaderboard. Surely we're not going to have another hacker for an Open champion?

Garcia starts steadily

Garcia has holed his fourth shot on the first to begin with a par as has Stricker, who recovered from a wayward tee shot playing alongside the Spaniard.
Their rivals, though, continue to improve, with Ernie Els the most threatening after hitting two birdies in his opening three holes to edge to five under and only one behind Stricker.

Brush strokes

How much rain has fallen on Carnoustie this morning? This much:

The vultures gather

The pack is growing in number. Ben Curtis has played beautifully and reached the 14th six under for his round. Joining him in the eight-strong group at three-under is Tiger, who has hit two consecutive birdies, and Andres Romero after his birdie on the third. Two men have nosed ahead of them, though, Ernie Els and Paul Broadhurst, both of whom just picked up a shot at the second.

Stricker tells it straight

Tiger has carded his first birdie, with a four-foot putt on the fourth that profitted from a peachy approach and moved the champion to two-under.
Garcia and Stricker are due to tee off in about half an hour. Dougie Donnelly just elicited a few cliches from the latter. "I'll just try to go out there and concentrate on my game," said the America, who scored a brilliant 64 yesterday. "It was a special day, a special round. Hopefully I can come close today. I'll just try to take each hole as it comes and try to do my best."

Ballesteros backs his countryman

The precipitation persists. Will it affect Garcia, a man schooled in sunnier climes? Seve Ballesteros reckons not. "The biggest problem in links golf is the wind and there's no wind at all," said the man who quit golf last week. "Because it has raining quite a lot, that will make the greens much softer and the fairways much softer. The course will still be playing long but it will actually be a lot easier."
So will his countryman win? "He's very, very steady, he's keeping his nerves in control. If he has a good, solid round and does not make any silly mistakes, I think the championship is in his hands." What would it mean back home? "It would put golf on top of other sports. It would bring a lot of Spanish people to the game of golf. It would make the game grow much quicker."
Tiger has parred his first two holes, while Rory McIlroy has birdied the 14th to reach level par for the day and four over for his round. The Irish prodigy is certain now to win the Silver Medal for the highest placed amateur.

Rose ready to challenge

Justin Rose also lies probably a little too far from Garcia to win but an excellent 67 yesterday has lifted him to one-under him and within sights of the leading pack at three-under. A similar performance today and he could improve on his best performance at a major tournament, tied fifth in this year's US Masters.
From the rain on the practise range, he admitted he felt in a good position to attack. "It's traditional bad links weather," he said. "The first seven holes, everyone's been talking about how you have to create a score on them, but that isn't the case now. They're much tougher, with tougher pin positions.
"It's nice to throw a new equation into the mix, especially when there's a couple of guys ahead who you're chasing. It's going to be difficult for anybody to hang on today."
Out on course, Lee Westwood has started promisingly, picking up a birdie on the second to reach level par for the tournament. The Australian Richard Green is also on par after birdies on the second and third. Hoffman is also two under for his round and now one-over overall.

Johnson talks from experience

At nine shots from the lead Zach Johnson cannot entertain serious thoughts of usurping Sergio Garcia, but he is best qualified of any player in the field to judge the likelihood of an heroic sprint finish. Six shots from the front before the final round of this year's US Masters, the American hit 69 to become the first golfer to win at Augusta despite not playing in the final group on the last day.
Eight players lie six strokes from Garcia today. Could one of them taste unexpected glory?. "It's always possible, especially as it's not too packed at the top," the 31-year-old said. "You get done half an hour before the leaders and the conditions could change. It's all about the conditions. That's the beauty of it."
Should somebody other than Garcia win, they will become a man in demand, just as Johnson has since his victory in April. "It's been nice. I feel privileged but at the same time it's been very congested. There is a responsibility that comes with it and we're slowly working our way through all the requests. It's been very special, I would just like a bit more sleep."

Live from the Media Centre

It's great being here at Carnoustie, what with the atmosphere, the competition and the chance to see the world's greatest golfers in action. But if you think I'm going outside in that, you've got another thing coming.

The pundits stay sheltered

The television folk have yet to brave the elements and chosen instead to stick with studio punditry and recorded interviews. For an idea of the conditions, check out this shot of weatherproofed spectators watching Rory McIlroy:

Can Sergio withstand the rain?

Good morning. Sergio Garcia, the leader of the Open, will not embark from the first tee with playing partner Steve Stricker until 2.20pm. Three shots behind Garcia and three ahead of the chasing pack, Stricker is the man most likely to challenge the Spaniard for the trophy. Can he do it? Will a less likely player emerge from the Carnoustie storms to light up the afternoon? Stay with us to find out.
Of the early starters today, only Charley Hoffman has dipped under par for the day while Alastair Forsyth and Sean O'Hair have struggled most in the downpour, sliding to seven-over for their rounds.

Ryder Cup day of reckoning

It will take a collapse of Devon Loch proportions and the greatest comeback since Lazarus if Europe are to overturn a seven-point deficit and take home the unofficial Ryder Cup. That's two big cliches, and when you think about it they don't normally invite themselves round to dinner at the same time. Still, while some are only concerned to see if Sergio Garcia can finally bag his first Major, we will be keeping you abreast of all the latest developments in our contrived attempt to give the US something to cheer about. Three more points from a potential 12 will see the Stars and Stripes fluttering over Carnoustie but you know what? I sense a storm coming... 

Match 1: Ian Poulter v Zach Johnson

Match 2: Nicolas Fasth v Jerry Kelly

Match 3: David Howell v Mark Calcavecchia

Match 4: Raphael Jacquelin v Boo Weekley

Match 5: Anders Hansen v Lucas Glover

Match 6: Carl Petterson v Aaron Oberholser

Match 7: Luke Donald v Scott Verplank

Match 8: Lee Westwood v Tiger Woods

Match 9: Paul Casey v Jim Furyk

Match 10: Justin Rose v Stewart Cink

Match 11: Padraig Harrington v Chris DiMarco

Match 12: Sergio Garcia v Steve Stricker

Overall score - Europe: 14.5pts US: 21.5pts

(Day One - Europe: 5pts US: 7pts. Day Two - Europe: 5.5pts US: 6.5pts Day Three - Europe: 4pts US: 8pts)

Garcia: "I feel good" - we knew that he would

Leaving the eighteenth, Garcia professed that he was feeling good. "I hit a couple of bad swings," he said cheerfully, as each time he had recovered brilliantly. He was a little shaken up by hitting a man beside the scoreboard on the seventeenth. "He said no, I'm fine," said Garcia. "He said don't worry. I managed to save a good point. There was some discussion amongst officials as to whether Garcia ought to be penalised for stepping in front of his lie, but it gave him no benefit that anyone could see.

"On eighteenth I got goose bumps," he said. "It was just amazing, how everyone stood up and were cheering for me."

He said he was happy to be out in front. "I have felt good about it," he said. "A little bit nervous here and there near the beginning, but I just have to keep sticking to my game plan." It seems to have worked well so far. He may yet end Europe's drought of majors.

In our Ryder Cup, however, things are looking distinctly less rosy. Europe could still win, but they would need a fabulous final day at Carnoustie.

Match 1: Sergio Garcia 68 v 69 Tiger Woods 1pt Europe

Match 2: Padraig Harrington 68 v 75 Boo Weekley 1pt Europe

Match 3: Lee Westwood 73 v 71 Jim Furyk 1pt US

Match 4: Paul Casey 69 v 68 Stewart Cink 1pt US

Match 5: Justin Rose 67 v 72 Scot Verplank 1pt Europe

Match 6: Luke Donald 73 v 72 Aaron Oberholser 1pt US

Match 7: Ian Poulter 70 v 71 Jerry Kelly 1pt Europe

Match 8: Anders Hansen 74 v 68 Zach Johnson 1pt US

Match 9: Carl Petterson 73 v 64 Steve Stricker 1pt US

Match 10: Nicolas Fasth 73 v 70 Lucas Glover 1pt US

Match 11: Raphael Jacquelin 76 v 72 Mark Calcavecchia 1pt US

Match 12: David Howell 73 v Chris DiMarco 66 1pt US

Overall score - Europe: 14.5pts US: 21.5pts

(Day One - Europe: 5pts US: 7pts. Day Two - Europe: 5.5pts US: 6.5pts Day Three - Europe: 4pts US: 8pts)

Garcia on the home straight

The crowd cheers as Garcia lifts his approach shot to within yards of the hole. He missed the birdie putt by a fraction, tapped in for par, and carded a 68. Choi had a collossal putt to make par after his watery adventure: the ball broke towards the hole but too late, he putted out for 72, is back at 3 under and in the chasing pack at joint third, alongside the likes of the Brit Paul Broadhurst, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Chris DiMarco.

What a night Garcia has in front of him, to think of how close he is to winning his first major. Nine under par, three shots ahead of his nearest rival, Steve Stricker. "If you can keep your head while all around you are losing theirs," begins Peter Alliss, "you may have misjudged the situation."

It must seem as if he is separated from the Claret Jug by the gulf, or rather the golf, that is playing another round at Carnoustie.

Garcia and Choi on eighteenth

"It sounded heavy," said Peter Alliss of Garcia's tee shot, but it landed on one of the islands of fairway that are separated by the winding Barry Burn. Choi however was not so lucky. His ball soared over the Burn as it wound out and back again, it bounced to the left of the water and then kicked right and plopped into the water.

Mike Weir of Canada, who as he birdied the fourteenth, was placed third at five under, fell back to joint tenth position at the last, bogeying two of the final four to card a 72.   

Don't cry for us Argentina

Angel Cabrera, the US Open Champion who many regarded as the dark horse about to bolt into the lead has fallen off the pace today, carding 72 and dropping back to par overall. His countrymen Andres Romero fared better, carding 70 to go two under overall.

Boo Weekley, the press favourite, had a bad day too. He shot 75 to go two over. It was not going too badly until the sixteenth tee, after which he shot three bogeys in a row to finish. It's enough to make a man want to punch a primate. Perhaps one will be provided.

Behind Boo and the Argentinines, Sergio Garcia stopped for a lavatory break on the seventeenth. "I wonder how it is that young men with good bladders can't keep going for ten minutes or so" said Peter Alliss. When he returned he hit a tee shot that veered wildly to the left and struck a spectator just below the leaderboard. A paramedic has arrived now, Garcia has gone over too, to offer some word of consolation before hunting for his ball. He can't play it yet, the spectatator is still receiving treatment for shock.

Golf is a dangerous game for spectators. The lady that Woods hit earlier today was apparently one Jennifer Wilson from Northern Ireland. She required stitches. "I felt awful about it," said Woods. "I was sick in my stomach." He gave her the ball and a signed glove. "Something for her to tell the grandchildren, I suppose," said Alliss.

Garcia has now played a splendid shot out of the rough to within a few feet of the pin. He doesn't let the odd injured spectator put him off his stride.

Ryder Cup update

Garcia looks likely to beat Tiger Woods, and Padraig Harrington seems certain to have triumphed over the orangutan-wrestling Boo Weekley, but the US have consolidated their lead today, winning seven matches, while Europe have only won two courtesy of Justin Rose and Ian Poulter.

Match 1: Sergio Garcia v Tiger Woods

Match 2: Padraig Harrington 68 v Boo Weekley

Match 3: Lee Westwood 73 v Jim Furyk

Match 4: Paul Casey 69 v 68 Stewart Cink 1pt US

Match 5: Justin Rose 67 v 72 Scot Verplank 1pt Europe

Match 6: Luke Donald 73 v 72 Aaron Oberholser 1pt US

Match 7: Ian Poulter 70 v 71 Jerry Kelly 1pt Europe

Match 8: Anders Hansen 74 v 68 Zach Johnson 1pt US

Match 9: Carl Petterson 73 v 64 Steve Stricker 1pt US

Match 10: Nicolas Fasth 73 v 70 Lucas Glover 1pt US

Match 11: Raphael Jacquelin 76 v 72 Mark Calcavecchia 1pt US

Match 12: David Howell 73 v Chris DiMarco 66 1pt US

Overall score - Europe: 13.5pts US: 23.5pts

(Day One - Europe: 5pts US: 7pts. Day Two - Europe: 5.5pts US: 6.5pts)

Broadhurst in joint fifth

An excellent finish from Paul Broadhurst, to card a 68. On the seventeenth a Brit who started the day in a better position is suffering on the back nine: Lee Westwood double-bogied the twelfth and dropped another shot on the sixteenth. On the seventeenth a long putt was a fraction short, so near and yet so far. He is one over par today.

Back on the fourteenth, Garcia is playing strong and steady - three birdies and no dropped shots so far. He missed a birdie putt there but remains nine under. His playing partner KJ Choi has fallen back to four under, he holed out for par.

That Cink-ing feeling

Stewart Cink sank a monster putt on the seventeenth on the way to carding 68.  Behind him on the eighteenth, Padraig Harrington has also just finished with a 68, dropping only a single shot, and Paul Broadhurst is on for one too, after a birdie at the seventeenth. None of the eighteenth hole shots of these players can quite compare with that of the Australian John Senden, however. His approach shot sailed high over the green, bounced off the stand and went scurrying back across it, only to bounce back again off a white fence pole on the far side. Unfortunately, after this outrageous fortune, Senden double bogeyed.   

Off the course, the player of the day so far, Steve Stricker, said he had had no idea that he was on for a course record. Of all the rounds he has ever played, "this has got to be right up there at the top," he said. He has once been a runner up at a major in the US, he is not getting carried away. "We've got a long way to go," he said.

Grinning McGinley

McGinley was very pleased with his round of 68, in which he hit four birdies, and, he said, only one bad shot, off the sixteenth tee. That hole was his only bogey. "I really played well," he said. "I hit draws when I needed to, I hit fades when I needed to." This after a bad day yesterday. What were his chances now? "Sergio is a very good player," he said. He was planning to relax this evening. He is three under in joint fifth position.

Garcia blazing

This is not a reference to his outfit which is admittedly bringing extra light to this part of Scotland. The Spaniard is taking the Open by the scruff of the neck. On the eleventh he opted to boldly drive where Kim Choi had not driven before him, and sent his ball arrowing down the very centre of the narrow fairway. Then he chipped for the green, the ball stopped beside the hole like a train pulling in at a platform. He birdied out to go nine under par.

His playing partner Choi birdied too, to go seven under. "It certainly is bunching up nicely for tomorrow," said Peter Alliss.

A top ten Brit

Paul Broadhurst has been yo-yoing up and down the leaderboard today. By the fourteenth he had hit three birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey. He then produced an eagle, and narrowly missed a lengthy birdie putt on the fifteenth. He is now in ninth, two under par.

Vijay Singh, also in ninth position, just carded a 68 with three birdies and not a dropped shot in sight.

Stricker equals course record

A triple-bogey on the par five sixth pegged back Ernie Els but starting on the eleventh hole he has made three consecutive birdies, and is two under. His fourth birdie putt drifted a fraction wide.

Ahead of him on the eighteenth the clubhouse crowds are watching the final throws of a remarkable round from Steve Stricker, which has carried the American to six under. Stricker hit a well weighted iron off the fairway but found the bunker to the left of the green. He had that bunker shot for the course record of 63, though it did not quite have the legs. He holed a difficult par putt to make 64, and leave the course a happy man.

Tiger thinks he still has a chance

He admitted he was frustrated - how did he keep his head and keep his round going? he was asked afterwards. "I have done this before you know," he said with a smile. "It's a major championship. You just hang in there. It's a long way to go."

The rain today had been forecast to be torrential, he said. "Tomorrow's supposed to be howling, we will see. At least I gave myself a chance going into tomorrow. Paul (Lawrie) came back from ten back in '99 so you can do it around this golf course." As he spoke, Sergio Garcia was busy extending his lead, with a birdie to put him eight under on the eighth. He has made two birdies, on the first and the eighth, and not dropped a shot in between. Woods must be praying for a hurricane.

Tiger the crowd pleaser

His eighteenth hole has typified his round today: a tee shot into the heavy rough, forcing him to simply lay up with his second, then, facing the clubhouse on the fairway, 87 yards from the pin he gently wafted the ball up and onto the apron of the green, where it rolled to within five yards, giving Woods a chance to par. He made it, and finished with a 69. We know he doesn't like being in the chasing pack, and he certainly doesn't like spending so much of his time in the rough on the right hand side of Carnoustie's fairways, but he still managed a round of two under par. As the scores stand, he is six off the lead. His playing partner Markus Brier made a very respectable 70.

Stricker keeps putting

Having played out of a bunker and then sent his fairway shot right to the back of the green, Steve Stricker had the most unlikely of chances for a par on the fifteenth. He took it nonetheless, a monster putt to keep him at six under.

Lee Westwood is one under after nine holes, with two birdies and a bogey, and Paul McGinley has fought his way into third place on the leaderboard with a birdie on the par five fourteenth.

Europe - look away now

Ryder Cup - Day Three

Bernard, the brilliant computer who devised the unofficial Ryder Cup, has had a few technical difficulties today and would like to apologise for the late announcement of the third round pairings. However, we are now delighted to reveal that the likes of Monty and Mickelson, who have proved utter flops at Carnoustie, have been cast asunder in favour of players with a taste for competition. Hence Lee Westwood, David Howell and Raphael Jacquelin, as the three highest ranked golfers outside the original 12, replace Europe's eliminated players. Similarly, Aaron Oberholser, Jerry Kelly, Lucas Glover, Chris DiMarco and Mark Calcavecchia join the ranks for the US. Remember that 24.5 pts is the target. Results are already beginning to roll in, so as Isla St Clair used to say: here are the scores on the doors...

Match 1: Sergio Garcia v Tiger Woods

Match 2: Padraig Harrington v Boo Weekley

Match 3: Lee Westwood v Jim Furyk

Match 4: Paul Casey 69 v Stewart Cink

Match 5: Justin Rose 67 v 72 Scot Verplank 1pt Europe

Match 6: Luke Donald 73 v 72 Aaron Oberholser 1pt US

Match 7: