The Open: Third round as it happened

1. Leaders: -12 L Oosthuizen, P Dunne (a), J Day
2. -11 J Spieth; -10: P Harrington
3. Selected: -9 D Willett, A Scott, Z Johnson, J Rose, S Garcia
4. -8 E Pepperell; -7: D Johnson, M Warren; -6 P Lawrie
5. Round three on Sunday after weather delays, final round on Monday

Goodnight

And so, a glut of golfers will chip, putt, battle, scrap and pray on the final day of the third major of the year - The Open.

One man wants to join the golfing immortals and sweep the major board this year while one man wants to win while not even being a professional.

It promises to be special.

Sleep well gents.

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Thank you for your company today. We will be waiting for you at 11:00 BST with a live text on Monday.

Anyone for a play-off?

Remember this smile? Stewart Cink in 2009?

This was the last play-off win in an Open Championship.

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The way this week has got longer and longer, could we go into overtime? Cink will do very well to be part of it. At seven under he surely has too much to do.

Making his way to history?

What a pairing we have at 14:20 BST - Jordan Spieth and Jason Day.

Spieth success on Monday would turn him for golf superstar into global superstar you would think. The unthinkable Spiethslam would be on.

The 21-year-old Masters and US Open champion carded four birdies without dropping a shot on the back nine today.

A full list of tee times will be available on the BBC Sport golf index here shortly. The fundamentals are an 07:45 BST start, leaders off at 14:30 BST and therefore an estimated finish of around 19:00 BST. Unless of course, we get a play-off.

Tee times for Monday are published

European photopress agency

And with a bang and a heavy pitch mark, the tee times drop.

The amateur Paul Dunne will partner the man who won the last time the tournament was played here - Louis Oosthuizen - with their the shots in flight at 14:30 BST.

The pair nudged one another along on Sunday. More of the same? or is the winner coming from lower down the field?

Best stay clear of this man tonight...

The rain is coming...

The sun will shine on St Andrew's for a brief moment on Monday, then cloud, more cloud and some wet stuff arriving right on time for when we expect the leaders to tee off - an estimated 13:30 BST.

BBC

Stay tuned to BBC Sport for accurate tee times shortly but some rain could cause a few issues. Wind picking up in the afternoon too. Those forecast speeds of 10-15mph are stronger than what we had out there today.

That's good news Louis. Because you're playing together again tomorrow...

Your key times for Monday...

Some day that one. Some day. You want to see more drama tomorrow?

BBC One will be up and running at 13:45 BST tomorrow, BBC Radio 5 live from 13:00 BST and red button service is fired up at 13:30 BST.

AP

We await the tee times.

DJ out of tune

The stats don't do Dustin Johnson's reputation as a weekend offender any favours. Here are his combined round-by-round scores in the last three Open Championships....

Round 1: -11

Round 2: -9

Round 3: +6

Round 4: +7

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Hazel Irvine

BBC Sport Presenter

"Round three on a Sunday has been well worth the wait. You might be at work tomorrow, but it wouldn't be for me to suggest that...perhaps you might feel a summer cold coming on?"

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

PA

"It's been an amazing day here today, but I think tomorrow could be a very special day indeed."

Bogey

In the cup. In the clubhouse and probably in stinking moods.

Our last group - Danny Willett and Dustin Johnson - make par and bogey on the last respectively and have fallen from top of the leaderboard to well, not even on it.

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Johnson's four footer for par misses and sums up a day where he was found wanting. Willett was without fireworks while other were carrying rockets.

That's ugly!

Practice swings from Willet as he approaches the green on 18, he needs a three here. From the moment he floats this ball at the green he doesn't like it. His legs buckle in frustration and the way things have been going, a 20 footer with break will not thrill him for birdie.

PA

What for Dustin Johnson, a floated wedge, woefully short and back into Paul Lawrie land, shy of the green. Johnson has been off key today, a stark contrast to what we have seen since Thursday.

Ask Ken

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

Here is another of your questions for Ken...

Stephen: Ken, is your rubber duck still alive? Not seen it for a while!

"He is in the commentary box. He sits next to Peter Alliss. He keeps an eye. He is still around. Fingers crossed we don't have to use it anymore. I couldn't believe how wet it was on Friday. So, he is still alive and I think I will sign it and see if I can sell it for charity."

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

BBC

"Ultimately a disappointing round for Paul Lawrie. He's just missed one or two missed short-ish putts at the wrong time and its broken his momentum."

Bogey

Paul Lawrie is about as happy as the England cricket team right now. His approach into 18 is dripping in back spin and leaves the putting surface. A good putt up the hill affords him a tap in for par. His hopes up in smoke.

Dustin Johnson's battles continue on 17 as his bunker fun leads to this missed putt for par. That's bogey and back to eight under.

BBC

And this is equally as ugly. Danny Willet misses a shorty for par on the same hole. The front four at the start of the day have capitulated by comparison to the standards we have seen elsewhere.

Dustin Johnson

John Inverdale

BBC Radio 5 live presenter

"In the last five majors in the first two rounds Dustin Johnson is 31 under par but in the the next two rounds he is only level par."

Ask Ken

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

Here is another of your questions for Ken...

WillDavidsonGolf: What was the best shot you've seen on the old course?

"That is very easy. It was on the 11th. It was by Seve Ballesteros and in 1977. I was playing with Seve and Jerry Pate. The wind was directly behind at 25mph. There was no way of getting to it. Seve took an 8 iron and teed it three-quarters of an inch in the air and flicked this ball miles up in the air. I thought 'where is this going to land.' It just rolled down the slopes a yard away. Only he could have played that. Certainly only he could have tried it. That is my most memorable one."

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Neil Moss: When Paul Dunne made his 3 wishes, perhaps he should have been more specific than "#1 Be leading up the 18th on Sunday at The Open."

'The ball does what you tell it'

BBC

Irish amateur Paul Dunne, who is joint leader of The Open on 12 under, talking on BBC One: "I wasn't aware about the positions until I got to 10. I didn't know where I was. I tried to play each hole as it was. There is a scoreboard on 10 though and and I saw if I made the putt I would be ahead. It was great it got me excited to make the putt and finish the round off.

"The golf ball just does what you tell it to, it's just there were a lot more cameras and people watching. I felt really comfortable, I had so much support, it felt like I was at home. Hopefully the same tomorrow.

The last few days I haven't had any goals in terms of finishing. I just had a number in my head each day and I will do the same tomorrow. I will put a number in my head and see if I can shoot it."

EPA

Latest leaderboard

Still a few players out on the course and here's where we are at.....

BBC Sport

Double bogey

Paul Lawrie is absolutely fuming. The thoughts going through his head now are angry ones. Very angry ones.

BBC

He loses his tether with a fan on the 17th tee box who takes a picture. "Right in my back swing, thanks," says the Scottish player.

Anyway, moving on he putts so badly it catches a greenside slope and runs away from the cup somewhat. To compound the growing misery, he lips this tiddler out. Double trouble. Two over for the day.

It was that camera that did it.

Birdie

A crowd pleaser from Zach Johnson as he pitches to within a few feet on the 18th, thanks to some major backspin. Should be a birdie for the American and he would go to nine under. Anyone fancy picking a winner?

Adam Scott rolls a birdie putt inches past and ends with a par. The Australian on nine under... as does playing partner Johnson who makes no mistake for birdie.

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The Dustin Johnson backers will cut frustrated figures tonight. His tools are abundant and many thought he would simply dismantle this course as it eased in its difficulty.

The bunker does for him on 17 and a bogey cuts his score to nine under, three back. Still in it though. Can he survive the 17th and bank birdie at the last?

Par

If Jason Day is going to be the overnight leader then he is going to have to share that honour. The Aussie lines up his birdie putt with the left edge, but the ball refuses to curl round into the can. Leaving him making the sort of hand signal that club golfers make rather regularly...

BBC

Day, who has had EIGHT top-10 finishes without winning a Major, taps in the par putt to finish with a splendid, bogey-free, 67.

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"Regarding the prize money if Paul Dunne wins as an amateur. I can tell you that the person who finishes second gets it, and the prize money goes down after that. But he probably wouldn't worry about the prize money if he won The Open! He still gets the claret jug, though."

Get involved - text 81111 (UK users only)

Bob Hampson in Portishead: How does the Open prize money get distributed if an amateur wins?

We've had plenty of texts and tweets with this question. Once again Mark James has the answer...

The day St Andrew's gave some up...

A look at the scoring stats underlines just how big a swing there has been in how this famous Old Course is playing.

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In the third round so far, only four holes are averaging more strokes than their par - holes two, four, 16 and 17.

Compare that to the early rounds where seven holes played above par on day one and ten on day two. Where has the bite gone? St Andrews has its gum shield in.

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Frost*ie: Surely you only need an ounce of romance in your soul to appreciate an amateur leading The Open going into the final round!

Can Dunne win?

One of my colleagues has just said "I love a bit of romance in Sport but Dunne is not going to win it"... We may be reminding him of that in 24 hours time.

He can win it can't he?

A birdie on the last would see Jason Day - that perennial Major challenger - looking good to start tomorrow as the overnight leader. A decent tee shot just short of the Valley of Sin is followed by an exquisite approach which spins back to within eight feet of a birdie.

Hazel Irvine

BBC Sport Presenter

Paul Dunne

"It's been extraordinary play from Paul Dunne today. The second lowest round by an amateur in the history of The Open, the lowest ever round by an amateur at St Andrews, the first time an amateur has hit three rounds in the 60s - the list goes on. And could this 22-year-old from Ireland even start to think about becoming the first amateur to win this great championships since Bobby Jones at Royal Liverpool in 1930? Please, nobody pinch him."

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

"A lovely round by Paul Dunne. Just go to do it all again tomorrow. The occasion can get to you, the television, the pressure, the interest in you and the majesty of the place."

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Paul Dunne is even the talk among the professionals...

Birdie

BBC

Plenty of red squares are marked on the scorecard of Louis Oosthuizen - including one on the 18th. Simple finish from a few inches for the South African, who matches his opening 67 with another five-under round. Oosthuizen and his playing partner Dunne are the current clubhouse leaders.

The 2010 Open champion at St Andrews in great shape for Monday's finale.

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Paul Dunne is over his ball on the final green. He hits it firmly but has not got the line at all and leaves himself a horrible tester for par.

The Irishman's caddie said to the BBC's Maureen Madill 'it's just another round of golf' on the way up the 18th... Dunne obviously agrees as he keeps his nerve and saves par. Cap aloft, he applauds the crowd and is in as the joint clubhouse leader. An amateur is in the mix to win The Open.

How will he sleep this evening?

Birdie

It has taken 15 holes but Dustin Johnson registers birdie and in some style indeed. From off the putting surface it is delightful, up a slope and tantalises the galleries as it clings to the cup edge before disappearing.

Birdie

While Dustin Johnson struggles to make light work of the favourable conditions, his namesake Zach has finally climbed aboard the birdie train. The 2007 Masters champion sinks another one at 16 - after grabbing his opening one of the day on 14 - to plod within a few shots of the lead.

AP

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"If you're wondering what happens if the two best amateurs finished tied at the end of the tournament, I can tell you that they both receive a silver medal."

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David in Barrow: If two players tie for best amateur do they get a silver medal each? Or is it decided on the best last round? Or maybe there is a play off?

A few people have texted in this question, fortunately Mark James has the answer...

BBC

Paul Dunne strolls down the last like he is out for a Sunday afternoon walk. He raises his arm aloft, doffs his cap to the crowd and then takes a big breath before lining up his second shot from the fairway. The Irish amateur knows one solid shot and he will be going in as The Open clubhouse leader... And he will love that. The perfect wedge to within 20 feet. Another birdie chance.

Andrew Cotter

BBC Sport commentator

"Dustin Johnson's round is inexplicable - he's played 14 holes and no birdies. Sometimes it just happens. Although he's only a few shots behind and has a few holes to claw himself back before tomorrow."

Jordan Spieth

"I'm very pleased to be more than half way there and so close to the top. I don't know what weather we'll get tomorrow, but maybe -4 or -5 tomorrow might be enough.

I'll avoid thinking about winning three in a row and I'm just happy that I'm playing so well. I struck the ball really well and if I'm within one or two of the lead, then I think I've got a really strong chance."

Par

Ooof! You lucky boy, Jason Day. The co-leader's heart skips a beat as he watches a tiddly three-foot par putt race around the lip before disappearing down the can.

The Aussie flashes a long, hard stare at the hole, before breaking into a relieved smile. He stays top of the pile...

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Sullivan eagle

BBC Sport

There is plenty of movement taking place on moving day. You can watch Andy Sullivan's eagle at the 14th from earlier here.

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

"People think golf is a dull old game - it is what you make it. A bit like life."

So close to his seventh birdie of the day... Who said the 17th was tough? Not Paul Dunne. Perfect tee shot, lovely approach, a well-hit 20-foot putt and a tap in for par. On he goes to the last as the amateur remains the joint leader of The Open.

BBC coverage

Watch Padraig Harrington's best shots from his third round at St Andrews, including a monster putt on the 16th, here

The Irishman, bidding for a third Open title, finished the day 10 under par putting himself in contention ahead of the final day.

Bogey

This for par for Danny Willett. Nasty eh...

BBC

His out of bounds tee shot has piled the pressure on...

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He almost hits the jackpot. This putt for a bogey six and to only lose one stroke on the leaders Jason Day and Paul Dunne.

Dogged stuff from Willett. In it goes.

Dunne 'living the dream'

Feeling a bit under the weather?!

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Amateur Paul Dunne hammers his drive down the 17th and then sends a four-iron from 219 yards to about 20 feet of the flag. What composure, particularly with that cavernous bunker five yards to the left of the pin.

On top of the three players mentioned above, fellow amateur Ashley Chesters also hit a 67 earlier today. The Irishman though will set the record for an amateur third round at The Open if he avoids a bogey on the last two holes...

The best Open round by an amateur ever was Tom Lewis's 65 in 2011.

Bogey

Padraig Harrington and Adam Scott have a bit of breathing space on 10 under. That's because Retief Goosen drops a shot on the Road Hole, slipping his par putt along the left edge.

BBC

Ouch!

What's that song you'd sing back in the school days... "heads, shoulders knees and toes."

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Louis Oosthuizen does a rendition of the dance as I recall it. The 16th green at St Andrew's has him loose and ready to boogie but it's a dance of frustration as a birdie putt rolls past.

Day takes a share of the lead

We have a share of the lead as Jason Day makes no mistake from four feet for birdie on the 15th. All the work was done with his sublime approach.

Out of bounds!

Tee it, smash it, pick the tee up, walk.

Steady on son. Back you come - that ball is gone!

BBC

Danny Willett looks perplexed. Like a snooker player already walking to the next shot he was in full flow but a huge push out of bounds from the tee box on the 14th has left his round in potential disarray.

He hits a second and will now be striking his fourth to the par five from the middle of the fairway.

"That went sideways at the end," he tells his caddie in a thick northern accent as they debate the first ball.

Safe and sound from the outright leader Paul Dunne on the 16th. After an iron off the tee onto the fairway, he lands his second into the centre of the big green. Leaves a long putt for birdie.

Remember Dunne is an amateur... If this continues, there will one day be a film made about the Irishman.

Jason Day sends one skywards on his approach to the 15th.... He stands still, watching the ball closely as it arrows towards the pin. One bounce and it comes to a halt four feet from the pin. A chance to join Paul Dunne at the top.

Bogey

What an incredible moment for Paul Dunne and all connected with him - he leads The Open outright as Danny Willett's par putt on the 13th misses left.

The leaderboard was topped by Johnson and Willett at the start of play. Willett is in there, Johnson has disappeared on a day where players have simply steamed through the field.

Birdie

If anyone in this tight field knows what it takes to win the Open at St Andrews, it is Louis Oosthuizen. Back-to-back birdies for the 2010 champion, who trundles in a beauty on the par-four 15th. No mean feat from the South African on a hole which has gifted few birdies to the players today. Just the 13 in fact.

Ask Ken

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

Here is another of your questions for Ken...

Martin Leitch: Great commentary Ken, with superb knowledge of the game, would you not consider becoming coach???

"There were a few times. I've given Tom Lewis a bit of help over the years with his putting. And at different times Darren [Clarke] and Lee {Westwood]. Just little tips here and there as a friend when they've asked me. If you are going to be a coach you've got to be committed to it and with all the other bits and pieces I don't have the time to be a committed coach. It is very rewarding when you see someone putt well after you've given them a bit of inspiration."

Birdie

Paul Dunne's second on 15 and it just about dribbles onto the edge of the green, leaving him a tricky eight-footer for birdie. Very solid golf from the amateur though as he remains one behind outright leader Danny Willett. He nails the putt and moves level at the top. Stunning.

BBC

Mixed fortunes for Charl Schwartzel and Justin Rose on the last. Schwartzel grimaces as he three-putts up the slope to walk off to the scorer's hut with a bogey. Three bogeys in the last six holes for the South African, who cards a what-might-have-been 69.

Better news for Rose though. The Englishman converting his birdie chance to swap place on the leaderboard with his playing partner. He turns to the galleries and clenches his fist in celebration. I think he's happy....

BBC

Get Involved

Swindon's David Howell finished one over the day and is two under for the championship...

Bogey

Paul Lawrie has invented a new game which involves striking the ball with the back of the club face in the opposite direction.

BBC

I jest. The Scot did not like his approach into 12 and took an angry second swipe in reverse. It's not been a bad day for the 1999 winner - he is level through 12 - it's just not all that explosive compared to elsewhere.

His playing partner Marc Warren at a stroke under on the day has fallen 11 places on the leaderboard. That sums it up. Score or suffer.

The St Andrews clubhouse is in sight for the Major-winning pairing of Charl Schwartzel and Justin Rose. The Englishman knocks a delightful chip past the last hole, adding a bit of backspin to leave what should be a closing birdie. Even the seagulls hovering above squawk their appreciation. Schwartzel next, from a similar position, he undercooks his effort and his ball struggles to cling onto the front slope....dropping down back into the Valley of Sin.

Ask Ken

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

We asked you for your questions for Ken Brown and you have duly delivered. Thankfully so has he, and we will be dropping some of these in over the remainder of today's coverage, starting with this...

Joe Weston: What is your favourite hole and why?

"Probably number 12. The shortest par four with three echelons of bunkers. When you stand on the tee, particularly if the wind is in your face, you have a real decision to make. The interesting thing about the hole is the putting surface. It's got a level, then goes up a little tier and then there is a ledge that is about top eight or nine yards wide which you drift the other side. Wherever you are it makes for an awkward little pitch. I think it is fascinating and varies so much in the wind."

Birdie

Louis Oosthuizen back in the groove. Right to left birdie putt on 14 and the shouts from the crowd tell you he has made it. The Open winner in 2010, the last time St Andrews hosted the championship, is just two off the lead.

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Tim Yorke: Hopefully Dunne and Spieth will dress differently if in final group together tomorrow. Same wardrobe.

Paolo Brand: Wow Paul Dunne is some player. Hopefully we have another Rory here on our hands!

Andy Stevenson: Anyone who criticises or doesn't appreciate Peter Alliss needs to get their soul checked.

Paul Dunne drifts left on the par-five 14th - he's in the thick stuff. No bother. The Irish amateur comes up with a textbook shot, chopping down with stiff arms, cutting the ball out and up onto the green. Fifteen foot to sink another birdie putt...

Up the hill he goes...plenty of length, but does it have the line? Not quite. It drifts left, an easy tap in for the par.

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Andy Stevenson: Anyone who criticises or doesn't appreciate Peter Alliss needs to get their soul checked.

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

BBC

"There is nothing quite like a beautiful bird coming towards you."

BBC

Sublime wedge from Sergio Garcia as he leaves himself four foot for birdie on the last... Off radar though and he has to settle for par.

Not so good for Jordan Spieth as his approach lands short on the green and rolls slowly down the slope... solid recovery though as his putt for birdie rolls stone dead. Par finish and ends on six under for the day. He is right in the mix.

Birdie

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Jason Day moves to four under for the day with a simple four-footer for birdie on 13. He joins Paul Dunne and Jordan Spieth on 11 under, one behind leader Danny Willett.

Birdie

What does the outright lead in The Open look like?

BBC

This.

Just three bogeys in 46 holes underline how solid Danny Willett had been. His latest putt is right on line and bingo. Full house.

Bogey

Australia's Steve Bowditch is going down under - two consecutive bogeys see him slip back to eight under. He is leapfrogged by Charl Schwartzel, who makes his seventh birdie of the afternoon on the 16th. Unfortunately three bogeys mean he is still three off the pace...

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Sergio Garcia is getting a little carried away in all the excitement - he isn't the only one - as he tees up first on 18. He needs a little reminder from playing partner Jordan Spieth it isn't his honour. Both safe off the tee, although Spieth looked anxious as he hugged the right of the fairway.

Birdie

Back to nine under for one of the local hopes. With experience comes resilience and patience. After four pars in a row Paul Lawrie reaches 11 and sweeps in a 15 footer for birdie.

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Lawrie's best finish at The Open since winning it at Carnoustie in 1999 is tied 26th in 2013.

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Lee Richardson: Weather conditions aside, this is proving to be one of the best Open's for a while. Some great scoring today! Anyone can win this!

Chris Collins: Some cracking golf going on today at St Andrews. You should be proud of the coverage.

Greg: A fantastic afternoon, Davis Cup and The Open in full flow. What more to ask for!! Super Sunday.

BBC

Joint leader Jordan Spieth is well, well short with his approach on the 17th. From off the green, about 50 feet from the flag, he pulls the putter from his bag and... puts too much gas on it as the ball finishes six feet away. Tough one for par... but nerves of steel as he rams the ball into the middle and on he goes. One hole left.

Sergio Garcia with a par as well and the pair fist pump on the way off the green...

Get Involved

A very quick downhill putt from about six feet for joint leader Paul Dunne on 13. Well judged and a tap in for par. He is in dream world... Adam Scott birdies 11 and the Australian is now up to nine under.

Birdie

The birdie bonanza can sometimes blight your thought process. And why does one necessarily have to join in? Sometimes the champion waits patiently for his time and pounces. Danny Willett has a tonne of pars on his card, a single birdie and now surely a second of the day on the ninth.

BBC

A majestic approach leaves a roll in. He obliges. 11 under. Co-leader.

Birdie

Two more hopefuls chalk up another birdie to move within touching distance of the lead. Retief Goosen sinks his effort on 13, with Jason Day following suit on 11.

Everywhere you look on the Old Course something is happening. Jordan Spieth maintains the current status quo with a tap in for a par on the 16th, before Retief Goosen, two shots behind the American and Irish amateur Paul Dunne, plants a glorious second shot within a ruler's length of the par-four 13th.

BBC

Only seven players are level or worse off on the day than overnight leader Dustin Johnson.

The 31-year-old is only one over for his round, which perhaps underlines the quality we are seeing. Another par on eight leaves Johnson on nine under.

He looks a little wound up. A shake of the head, a grimace and a few words with the man on his bag. His consistency yet lack of silverware in majors must be nagging on his mind somewhat.

Vote results

Our vote asking who you thought will be top come the end of the third round closed a few minutes ago and overnight leader Dustin Johnson came out as your winner with 33.5%. You can see the vote results on this page.

Birdie

Amateur hour? Yes it is - and that is no insult. American amateur Jordan Niebrugge is hot on the heels of his Irish counterpart Paul Dunne, nailing a birdie putt on the last to finish with a five-under 67. The 21-year-old is two shots off the lead on his Open debut.

Leaderboard

BBC Sport

BBC

Clubhouse leader Padraig Harrington talking to BBC One: "It is always nice to shoot a 65. To get into contention is a big deal. It is an interesting golf course. You have to be there or thereabouts because the leaders are not going to come back to you on the final round. Even if 14s are leading at the end of the day, it is not too much to ask. It is a big day.

"It is fantastic to see an amateur at the top. Nice guy and lets hope he keeps going. If it is not me let's hope it is him..."

Feeling tense just watching this? Imagine playing in it. Charl Schwartzel and Steve Bowditch are both overcome by the putting jitters, each dropping vital shots on the back nine. The South African whistles a birdie putt well past the 14th hole, unable to find the target on the way back either. And it is even worse for Bowditch, who misses the tiddliest of par putts that even a high-handicapper golfer would be furious about missing.

BBC

He is human... Paul Dunne's birdie attempt kisses the edge of the hole but stays up. He has to settle for a par.

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"It's not been a great day for Dustin Johnson so far. He's one of only 10 that made the cut who are over par today."

Paul Dunne deep in the rough on 12... Is this the start of the decline for the amateur? Not at all... a beautiful iron out of trouble and to within about five feet of the pin. Nerves? You are having a laugh.

AP

Dunne is clear in the race for the silver medal between the amateurs but, not only that, he is joint leader of The Open overall.

Bogey

Dustin Johnson is, dare I say it, beginning to look very, very vulnerable.

BBC

After a fluffed chip from the rough he takes his anger out on the ball to rush it 20 feet past. This for par then, the cup in the top left of the image.... whizzes away - no prize. Back to nine under. The American needs to weather the storm to stay in the fold.

If you're just joining us...

• Paul Dunne, a 22-year-old amateur, co-leads The Open and is five under through 11 holes
• Jordan Spieth shares the lead, reaching hole 16 at six under for the day
• Prolific scoring on show across The Old Course
• Only five players in tournament's top 60 who are not under par today
• Padraig Harrington clubhouse leader on 10 under after a 65

Birdie

A few whoops around the 15th as Jordan Spieth lands his second to within a few feet of the pin. Should be a birdie and a share of the lead with Paul Dunne. Don't forget Spieth is bidding to become just player to win the first three majors of the year... He makes it. A share of the lead.

Sergio Garcia continues on his way as well with a birdie on the same hole.

Andrew Cotter

BBC Sport commentator

"He just looked up at the leaderboard after missing that birdie at the last, but if I bet if you offered Padraig Harrington a 65 before he went out he'd have bitten your hand off. He'll be out late tomorrow, and in the mix, and that's what matters."

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Stavros Makrozachopo: Right now, the Open is so intense, it's like watching penalties in a World Cup.

Padraig Harrington grins and doff his cap to the St Andrews galleries. A sterling day's work for the Irishman, who wraps up a 65 with a par on the last. The two-time Open champion did miss a simple(ish) birdie attempt for the 64 - the lowest third-round score so far - but he looks happy enough with his efforts. Rightly so.

No sign of Paul Dunne stalling as he leaves a 10-footer just inches short on 11. A par for the Irishman as he marches on... Louis Oosthuizen climbs to 10 under with a swinging putt on 11. This is shaping up to be a barnstormer...

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"Can he do it? Yes he can! Paul Dunne, an amateur, leads the open after 46 holes."

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The GolfFather: Amateur Hour at the Open!

Mark Cullagh: Paul Dunne outright lead. Padraig 2nd. What a performance by both so far. Great to see. Keep it up.

James Bamford: An amateur leads #TheOpen wonderful stuff, inspiring us mere mortals!

Amateur champion?

PA

The last amateur to win The Open was Bobby Jones in 1930, one of three amateur champions - are we about to see a fourth? A long way to go yet but amateur Paul Dunne is leading.

A slight shake of the head from Danny Willett as he trudges away from six with par. His lengthy birdie putt just missed left of the cup. He will look at the leaderboard and wonder just what is going on. Challenge is coming from every possible angle.

Dustin Johnson for birdie and 11 under... slides on past.

Irish amateur leads The Open

BBC

Is this really happening? Irish amateur Paul Dunne sinks yet another birdie putt, this time on 10, and he is in the lead on his own. Yes, an amateur is leading the Open midway through the third round.

Leaderboard

BBC Sport

Bogey

Momentum is a cruel mistress, she can turn on a dime with the smallest mistake.

Paul Lawrie makes bogey, lipping out a putt from four to five feet on six. He needs a bit of the magic dust those peppering birdies around him are lapping up.

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Lee Richardson: It's so good to see Padraig Harrington back on form at #TheOpen. Long over due! Hope he can hang onto this form going into tomorrow!

Adam Plom: This is as good as a Major Championship gets. Heart says Harrington, wallet says Speith.

Wonderful stuff from Padraig Harrington. The Irishman, bidding for a third Open title, pulls his tee shot left on the 17th - but makes amends by raking an inch-perfect second to the back of the green. A long putt for a birdie - but a putt for birdie nevertheless....

Ben Dirs

BBC Sport at St Andrews

"As I write, 14 players are within one shot of each other atop the leaderboard, including plenty of marquee names, a few old favourites, young thrusters, a couple of amateurs and a couple of dark horses. As it stands, this tournament could be won by 40-odd players, maybe more. Those suggesting this year's 144th staging of The Open was shaping up to be a dud are looking a little bit foolish now. Golf isn't all crash, bang, wallop and explosions, it's a long read, with all its subtle nuances and twists in the narrative."

Ben Dirs

BBC Sport at St Andrews

"For those who have spotted that American amateur Jordan Niebrugge is one off the lead and wondering when was the last time a non-pro triumphed in The Open... the great Bobby Jones was the most recent, in 1930. Fellow American Frank Stranahan finished second in 1947 and 1953 (he was also runner-up at the 1947 Masters) while the last amateur to finish in the top five was England's Chris Wood, at Royal Birkdale in 2008."

Andrew Cotter

BBC Sport commentator

"The amateur is right up among there among the leaders in The Open. How about that for a front nine for Paul Dunne?"

Six at the top

And still they come... Irish amateur Paul Dunne makes his fourth birdie of the day on nine, after an approach that was almost stone dead, and joins five others in the lead. Overnight leader Dustin Johnson is yet to join the birdie party.

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Alex MacDonald in Edinburgh: We might be in line for a 17 player play-off after tomorrow the way things are going.

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Stephen: Breaking News #TheOpen2015 goes on to Tuesday, in a play-off...with 40 Players!

Birdie fest

The Old Course is seeing more birdies than your local RSPB nature reserve. So far today we have seen 310 birdies at St Andrews - that compares to 554 in the opening round and 495 in the second. That's with the field cut down to 80 players from 156 remember - and we still have plenty of holes left to play. Remarkable scenes...

That's incredible!

BBC

Mamma mia, what a putt. Padraig Harrington makes it a five-way tie at the top of the leaderboard with an absolute monster putt on the 16th. He is about 45 feet away and putting uphill but, never in doubt, as it goes down and moves him to seven under for the day. Can the two-time Open winner make it three?

Birdie

The par five is where you bet your house and pets on Dustin Johnson making birdie. He will of course devour yardage with his huge strikes.

BBC

Not today he won't. A wide tee shot, a wide recovery, a loose chip, a long putt and a tap in gives only par. DJ not yet spinning his beat.

His playing partner Danny Willett will make eagle will he... ohhhh. Look at that, it hangs on. Birdie only. 10 under.

BBC

Birdie

Charl Schwartzel grits his teeth and bears his gnashers after sinking his putt on 12. Par? Bogey? Nah - a birdie to move him into a share of the lead. Cheer up buddy...

That's four birdies around the turn for the South African. And remember he stuck his opening tee shot into the drink...

Bogey

A shot gone for Louis Oosthuizen as he pushes a three-footer past on the eighth for his first bogey of the day. His position as joint leader doesn't last long.

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"Birdies are coming thick and fast from everywhere...except from Danny Williett and Dustin Johnson at the moment."

BBC

The top four when play started we thought could go away from this field but instead, they look more and more like fish with a net closing around them.

Paul Lawrie misses a birdie putt on five, Marc Warren must work for par there, Dustin Johnson has just gone from rough into more rough on the fifth and what about Danny Willett? That is much better, sets up a long eagle putt on the same hole.

Birdie

Australia's Steven Bowditch is off the green on ninth, but grabs his putter out of his bag anyway. Up the ridge, decent pace, he waves his stick in the air...it's good! Bowditch's fourth birdie of the day moves him into that ever-growing pack on nine under...

That's 20 players now within two shots of each other at the top of the leaderboard...

Birdie bonanza

Ben Dirs

BBC Sport at St Andrews

Just bumped into Eddie Pepperell after his 66. Oxfordshire's finest hesitated when I asked if he was happy, which tells you everything you need to know: he was still ruing that double-bogey on 17, he knows a 66 could be a common or garden score today.

Birdie

Who says three is a crowd? Not Louis Oosthuizen. The last man to win the Open at St Andrews moves alongside Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson by dropping a birdie into the seventh can.

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Scott Ross: This Open is shaping up to be a classic!

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Paul Lawrie is an Aberdeen supporter you know.

BBC

Could he parade the Claret Jug at Pittodrie? If he is to, he will certainly need to not find himself adopting this stance all too often. Hacks it out with some guts on it. It looks and sounds horrid but on a par five, he will have a shot from the rough into the dance floor.

Birdie

BBC

Step forward Jordan Spieth. The man from Texas holes a birdie on 12 for his third in a row. Ominous signs, very ominous... He is level with Dustin Johnson.

Birdie

Adam Scott hunches over his ball on the fifth green, using that pivoted putting stroke to great effect. The tall Aussie sinks a seven-foot putt on the par five to move within two strokes of the lead.

Birdie

Oh yes.... Amateur Paul Dunne is getting among this birdie bonanza with his third of the day on seven. And what a birdie that is as he putts up the slope from off the green and into the middle. One shot behind the leader.

We have a new joint leader though...

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Jimmy Lennox in Dumfriesshire: Heard the commentators mention that nine amateurs made the cut at St Andrews in 1960 and among them was a Dr Deighton the then Scottish amateur champion who my dad, the late Noel Lennox, was caddying for. When I heard you mention it, it brought a lump to my throat so many thanks. My father told many stories of his experience as it was Arnold Palmer's first Open.

Par

BBC Sport

There are now 25 men within three shots of leader Dustin Johnson. This is becoming a pile up of epic proportions.

Time for someone to get going and make it their own. Danny Willett grips his club lower than normal, it's just a short wedge into the green and it's a corker. I'd say around four feet, though sloping, for birdie. You've got to make them Danny... he doesn't.

Padraig Harrington stays in that nine-under cluster for the time being, the Irishman unable to break free after steering a birdie chance wide on 14.

Chesters in mix for silver medal

Ashley Chesters spoke to BBC Radio Shropshire after his five-under 67, which contained four birdies, an eagle and just one bogey, at 17.

"Finishing with a birdie always cheers you up, however you play. It tried to go out the other side, but thankfully it dropped in and it made up for the bogey on 17.

"The weather was a lot better and we got lucky with the rain as, when the worst of it came over, we were stuck on the 14th tee and missed it. I've just to go do as well as I can tomorrow and see what happens."

Maureen Madill

BBC TV on-the-course commentator

"There's an incredible atmosphere out on the course for home favourites Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren. The Scottish crowd are willing everything in."

Birdie

They are behind you Dustin... Robert Streb with a big putt for birdie on five and he makes it... Jordan Spieth joins Streb as one of eight players one behind Johnson on nine under. Back-to-back birdies for the double-major winner. Here he comes....

#kenonthecourse

We will be holding a Q&A with BBC commentator Ken Brown at 16:15 BST and posting the best answers on this page from around 17:30. Send in your questions via #kenonthecourse and we will ask him some of the best.

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"When he struck his tee shot he'd have been delighted to make a four."

That is what Marc Warren gets on four. A lucky touch as his tee shot, though very right, stopped short of a bush. Paul Lawrie converts from three feet for par too.

Birdie

Retief Goosen is muscling in on the leaders. The South African, a two-time US Open winner in the early 2000s, follows up his eagle on the fifth with a birdie on the next. He joins a group of six men now on nine under...

Birdie

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Another birdie for Sergio Garcia on 10 - his fourth of the day - and the crowd love it. Sergio eggs them on... momentum is building as he moves to eight under... Anything you can do, I can do better says Jordan Spieth as he nails his own putt for birdie... Both up to eight under.

Three holes, three pars apiece for our last group.

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The stats tell us who should theoretically have the upper hand. Dustin Johnson has the power to damage this golf course if his momentum builds. Danny Willett, with his rapid swing is not giving much up though.

Both find the fairway on the fourth with Johnson's tee shot probably breaking the speed of sound. Wow.

Padraig Harrington thrashes one out of the rough on 13 - the huge cheers from the gallery tell the Irishman that he has another sniff of a birdie...

And talking of birdies, England's Anthony Wall drops in another one. Wall might look like a Butlins employee with that bright red jumper he is wearing - but he is having plenty of fun on the Old Course.

Birdie

A big move in the battle for the silver medal between the amateurs. Birdies on 11 and 12 for Jordan Niebrugge as he joins Ireland's Paul Dunne at the top of that particular contest.

That's ugly!

FORE RIGHT!!

BBC

Not what Marc Warren ordered on four. His ball bounces into the pathways where fans congregate but it does not look to be sitting too badly. Potentially a lucky break.

The lead group of Dustin Johnson and Danny Willett are so far birdie free but both have long putts for a three on the par-four third.

Bogey

A shake of the head from Sergio Garcia on nine as, after a tee-shot onto the green, he pushes his birdie attempt past from eight feet... Real misery for playing partner Jordan Spieth as he blows a par putt from a couple of feet. First bogey of the day for the American.

Birdie

Feel the roar. Paul Lawrie is at nine under and his confidence continues to radiate. Perfect strike with the short stick. Get underground ball.

BBC

Eagle

Goooooose! Retief Goosen sneaked in the back door of the Open Championship, qualifying at the last opportunity at Woburn. But the broad South African seems determined to make the most of his invitation to the glitziest golf party in Europe. He gives a 40-foot plus eagle putt a good thump across the fifth green, the ball threatening to slow down before a couple of lethargic late rolls see it disappear into the cup. The second eagle of the day on the 570-yard par five.

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

"Two very different walks from these two men. Danny Willetts is a bouncer, Dustin Johnson more of a stroller, or a loper. I used to collect walks - the best walker ever was Sean Connery. Jack Nicklaus was short little quick steps. Someone like Padraig Harrington looks like he's just been out at sea and to come to shore."

Birdie

BBC

Padraig Harrington is rolling back the years. The two-time Open winner is up to six under for the day after a birdie on 12. Just a shot behind the leader for the 43-year-old in a three-way tie for second...

Dustin Johnson's effort from the fairway on two is effortless. He lifts the ball with the delicacy of an artist perfecting a masterpiece and leaves a super birdie chance for 11 under. If his putter gets hot today he could paint his own leaderboard with a big gap at the top.

BBC

Here it comes, it looks like a right-to-left effort from around 12 feet... crisp strike... nice roll... wide. Close but wide.

Another day's work is done for Phil Mickelson. Old Leftie dinks in a delicate chip from the edge of the 18th green, tapping in the birdie putt for a two-under 70. Not enough to challenge for his second Open title tomorrow.

I just want to iron out for anyone new to golf or this Open Championship that the Marc Warren contending is not Marc Warren of BBC Hustle or Musketeers fame.

Now that would be some career change.

Getty Images

Warren on the third has a wedge left into the green on this par four hole. Solid golf shot leaves a downhiller of say 15 feet for birdie and nine under.

Who is Eddie Pepperell?

Reuters

24 year old from Oxford, who is currently ranked 85 in the world.

Turned pro in 2011 and The Open is only the second major he has played in.

Achieved his best finish on the European Tour, when he lost in a play-off in the Irish Open in May this year.

Home support

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"Paul Lawrie looks so comfortable at the moment. A few weeks ago he was struggling with his putting stroke and he's worked on making it smoother. He has the experience of winning it before. Marc Warren has the experience of playing the Dunhill Links and that will give him an advantage. Marc's improved because he has started to hole some putts. He's shown he can handle the conditions."

Birdie

Stunning from Louis Oosthuizen as he moves to eight under. A swinging putt from about 20 feet on four and his first birdie of the round... Irish amateur Paul Dunne also birdies four to move to eight under and two shots clear in the amateur competition.

'Being in contention at a Major is different'

BBC

The man putting the most heat on Dustin Johnson and Danny Willett is clubhouse leader Marc Leishman. The Aussie carded an eight-under 64 in his third round.

"It was a lot easier today. We played in heavy winds Thursday and Friday and to get out there with no wind was nice. I hit them in good spots and putted well but the wind made it easier," the 31-year-old tells BBC Sport.

"I grew up in wind like Thursday and Friday so I enjoy that weather. Maybe not the rain so much. It can't hurt to have played in that a lot.

"Being in contention in Majors is different. A lot more photographers, hype and action. To have being in contention at the Masters gives me confidence."

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Paolo Brand: Gonna go out on a limb & tip a Brit to lead into the final round. Sergio won't be far away either.

This left for Marc Warren to bank birdie on two. A lovely wedge into the green, one bounce, some check, gorgeous stuff.

BBC

The putt takes on some extra currency as Dustin Johnson can only make par on one, as can Danny Willett - so this is to move eight under and within two.

Cashback. Planted in the middle of the cup. Scotland, you have two men on eight under.

Birdie

Is this the start of a charge? Jordan Spieth birdies the seventh, for his second in three holes, and Sergio Garcia follows him in. Spieth to within two, Garcia just three behind

'I have a chance to win'

BBC Sport

Eddie Pepperell, who is eight under after a round of six under, which was harmed with a double bogey on 18: "I felt confident on 17 but maybe didn't focus on one or two things to help me. I could argue a bit of complacency but I didn't want to bail out left, which to me is admitting defeat. For the most part I've done well today and I need to iron the problems out before tomorrow.

"The best thing I can do is play good golf. I'm aware of where I'm at but all I care about is playing well. All I can do is control the things I can control. I have some work to do but if I can improve my swing tomorrow and keep putting well I have a chance to win. But I expect the leaders to move away a bit."

Danny Willett, grey jumper, white slacks. You've got to be good to wear white trousers. He goes deep into the second green but puts too much beef on it. That ball settles in the fringe at the back of the green.

His playing partner Dustin Johnson walks like a man who barely has a pulse. It's a relaxed waddle, it barely qualifies as a walk. Birdie chance already for the cool customer. Around six to eight feet left.

Birdie

Two-time Open winner Padraig Harrington was one of those men scrapping alongside Justin Rose on seven under. Not any more. The Irishman with the reverse putting grip arcs a six-foot birdie putt through the side door. That moves him within two shots of leader Dustin Johnson...

Out in front

Getty Images

Dustin Johnson will like that stat... is this his time?

Andrew Cotter

BBC Sport commentator

"Dustin Johnson was the pick of many to win The Open coming into this tournament and what's gone so far heading in today will have done little to persuade them otherwise."

Justin Rose, in the wispy semi-rough, dinks one towards the sixth green. "Sounds a bit fluffy," says BBC commentator Peter Alliss. Looks good enough, skipping up off the front bank, grinding to a halt pin high, about 12 foot from the flag. The 2013 US Open winner is among 17 men tied on seven under.

Leader underway

BBC

The powerhouse. The strong man. An athlete. A boomer. Dustin Johnson our leader is underway and if the scoring we have seen tells us this course is there to be slaughtered today, he surely has the weaponry to do it.

Up the fairway goes shot one from both him and England's Danny Willett. Where will the lead be after the next 18 holes from these two? 14 under? 15 under? Tell us on #bbcgolf.

On the first tee

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"Danny Willett might have benefitted from the extra time off. It gives you a break and a bit of time to relax which might take the pressure. I think that he'll be in the hunt there's no doubt about it. He's been working hard on his putting recently - you'll notice how still he keeps himself now."

This first drag for Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren is not too daunting. Anything less than par and you've had a nightmare.

The opening alley is playing under par at an average 3.75 strokes on round three. Lawrie is in for hi spar after a very long birdie putt but Warren can record a strike here and make birdie can he?

It's around 12 feet, left to right, nope. He did not take enough break.

Another birdie putt for Jordan Spieth... and another chance goes begging on six. The old magic wand just isn't working for the American at the Old Course this week - yet! He is still only three shots back after a birdie on five.

American pair Ryan Palmer and Patrick Reed are the latest pair to shake hands on the 18th green. Both men smile warmly as they embrace at the last, not surprising as they both sign their cards for five-under 67s.

Latest scores

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Penultimate group out

Getty Images

Now if memory serves, Scottish folk know how to get behind their own. The mind wanders to Six Nations hysteria, Hampden Park and Britain's Got Talent heroin Susan Boyle.

So when the penultimate pairing in The Open are two men who have at some stage worn a kilt in their time, what will happen next?

Marc Warren lamps one up the first fairway with iron in hand and Paul Lawrie follows him. Over to you gents.

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Rohan in London: Seeing how average players are taking apart the course today, you can only imagine what Rory McIlroy would've done....shame!

Birdie

Zach Johnson from the middle of the fairway on the first... he is watching it closely.... he likes it... and that is why. Lands six feet from the flag, takes some back spin and a very makeable birdie. Zach is within range.... Huge cheers from the ninth as Padraig Harrington makes his fourth birdie of the day in a bogey-free front nine. Up to seven under and three behind.

That cheeky grin of Eddie Pepperell has been replaced by a miserable grimace. A steady tee-shot over Granny Clark's Wynd is followed by a dink which hits the front fringe of the 18th green...and is quickly devoured by the Valley of Sin. A beefy putt up from that treacherous swale gives him a chance of a par - and that is duly accepted.

BBC

That is greeted by a half-smile of what might have been and rapturous applause from the St Andrews crowd. Despite that blip on the 17th, the Englishman finishes with a brilliant 66.

On the first

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That final day at Royal Lytham & St Annes was one to forget for Australian Adam Scott as he ended up finishing second behind Ernie Els after what looked like an unassailable lead. But he won the Masters the following year and was also in contention at the last two Opens, in which he has had top-five finishes.

Scotty is underway...

'We'll give the crowd something to cheer'

BBC

Marc Warren, who tees off at 14:50 with fellow Scot Paul Lawrie, speaking on BBC One: "I know the course here very well. We play here a couple of times a year on the European Tour and I have to admit it's my favourite course. It needs a bit of wind when the ground is soft so hopefully a good few days ahead. I feel my form and game has been decent recently on the back of the US Open and Scottish Open. Obviously I'll be going out with Paul who is a past champion of The Open. Paul's one of my best friends and we're both looking forward to it. The crowd will be right behind the two of us and hopefully we can give them something to cheer."

Birdie

A mammoth putt on five for Jordan Spieth... no legs and another par for the American. If he going to make it three majors from three this year, he needs to start scoring... Can Sergio Garcia do any better? Yes. He rattles one into the cup from six feet and is back up to six under.

Life is a rollercoaster

McDowell carded a round of 70 with eight birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys. Certainly an up and down round.

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James Bamford: This is bubbling up nicely. Wonderful to see so many Brits up there too. Bring out the leaders!

Ollie Whiting: What an Open Dustin Johnson has had, he's a great golfer. It's going to be tight on the final day.

Birdie

Anthony Wall is coming up on the rails. A fourth birdie of the day on 11 moves the Englishman to seven under - another to move to within three of the lead. This is turning into an absolute birdie fest... and we haven't seen the leaders yet. Prepare for fireworks.

The race for the silver medal

Paul Dunne has watched Ashley Chesters rip up the course over the last few hours and now it is his turn. The Irish amateur birdies the opening hole after a sublime approach landed almost stone dead. Up to seven under and one ahead of Chesters, who shot a 67, in the battle for the silver medal. Great scoring.

Double bogey

Oh Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. What might have been. After that horror of a tee shot, Pepperell battles back with a second-ball par - or, more importantly, a double bogey - on the Road Hole. That's why they claim it is one of the hardest par fours in world golf. He drops back to tied third place alongside Paul Lawrie, who is due out in about 20 minutes.

Birdie

Hideki Matsuyama continues where he left off yesterday. A long-range putt is holed on two and he is up to seven under... a round of 66 on Saturday put him right in contention. Can he become the first Japanese to win a major?

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"Oh Eddie. He's hit the hotel and into the water so out of bounds. Can you believe it? He had the whole world on his left."

BBC

Mr and Mrs Pepperell might want to copy and paste this image - because their son might not be top of the Open leaderboard for long. He is on the edge of the 17th green, facing a 40-foot putt for a bogey...

Bogey

Jordan Spieth, you can can't keep missing these chances. The American misses a birdie putt from eight putt and stays on six under... Even worse for playing partner Sergio Garcia as any momentum he picked up stalls with a bogey. A testing three-footer skims the edge of the hole and drops out...

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Paolo Brand: Eddie Pepperell leading The Open, what a round. Yet as soon as he took the lead, he goes out of bounds! Oh Eddie!

Aveer: In 1978 Arnold Palmer hit it into the foyer of the hotel on 17 and gave the ball to John Mckeen a schoolboy from Merchiston.

Ginger Andy: Not long till the Scots pairing of Lawrie and Warren head out on home soil! C'mon! Hope they can stay in the hunt!

Tom Fordyce

Chief sports writer at St Andrews

"A quintessentially British summer holiday scene at St Andrews: grey clouds, damp sand, seagulls whirling, anoraks aplenty. The Sea Shell Cafe down by the beach is unlikely to sell out of ice-creams today, but out on the Old Course the world's best golfers certainly do like to be beside the seaside - with the course playing soft and easy, the low scores are coming in thick and fast."

Is the treble on?

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Jordan Spieth still has a chance to become just the second player to win the first three majors of the calendar year, following in the footsteps on fellow Texan Ben Hogan.

For now, Spieth's wins at Augusta National and Chambers Bay this year make him the sixth player who has won the first two majors...

He has started solidly enough today and lands another approach to within eight feet. Birdie chance - again - on four...

Oh no!! Fresh from the high of bagging his eighth birdie of the third round, Eddie Pepperell is now livid with himself. Crash, bang, wallop - he whacks his tee shot into the Old Course hotel which juts out from the right. Three off the tee....and he beautifully arcs his second effort round onto the fairway. And that is why golf is the most frustrating sport in the world....

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Reuters

Jenni: As Sergio Garcia and Jordan Spieth were walking off the second tee box, Spieth asked could he hold Garcia's driver and have a couple of practice swings with it. It was like two friends out playing their local course!

Birdie

Back on three and Charl Schwartzel (-5) looks on in frustration as his 10-footer for birdie doesn't trouble the hole... Playing partner Justin Rose from a few feet closer and... his first birdie of the day... up to within four of the leaders. Birdies galore.

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"Can you believe it? Jeepers creepers! He's tied for the lead with Dustin Johnson. What a round for Eddie Pepperell this is turning out to be. That's eight birdies for him now. It's not often you have the leader out at this time of day in The Open."

Birdie

Here's a sentence that Eddie Pepperell will telling his grandkids about - he is tied for a lead of the Open Championship. That's presuming the Englishman doesn't go on and win it of course...

The 24-year-old, on his Championship debut remember, holes out on the 16th green from about 20 feet. No wonder he is smiling...

Justin Rose watches his approach on five intently... he likes it and no wonder. Bounce, bounce, stop. Six feet for a birdie after a level par start. He will believe he is still well in this.

Big cheers elsewhere though...

The pack are bunching up behind leader Dustin Johnson. Geoff Ogilvy pushes a birdie putt past on the second after a birdie on the first. He is up to six under, just four off the lead. Johnson will be licking his lips at all these birdies though. The scene could be set for him to shoot low, very low.

'We'll get some great support'

BBC Sport

Paul Lawrie, who is eight under par and tees off at 14:50 with fellow Scot Marc Warren, speaking on BBC One: "I'm looking forward to getting out there. I've known Marc a long time and I know we'll get some great support. Yesterday was part and parcel of links golf and I'm frustrated for the spectators more than anything else. The conditions look soft which makes it easy to get the ball close so fingers crossed we go close."

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"Sergio has played 66 Majors without winning one. That's a lot, but it shows how long he has been around at the top of the game."

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Ray Matthew: Radiotherapy in Aberdeen at 11am then I'll engage in a warp drive to hopefully see Paul Lawrie win his 2nd major.

The form players...

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Japan's Hideki Matsuyama fired himself into contention on Friday and Saturday with eight birdies in a round of 66. He missed a birdie putt on the last to set the highest score of the round outright, with Russell Henley also shooting a 66.

Matsuyama also made the fewest number of putts in the second round, just 24. He is on the first...

Latest scores

BBC

Another birdie putt pushed past for Jordan Spieth on three.... while Sergio Garcia doesn't give his enough. Opportunity missed there.

BBC

Rickie Fowler is in for a 66 and he even left one or two strokes out there. That takes the young chap to seven under par for the tournament. Had some of his putts dropped during opening rounds of 72 and 71 he would be fully in the mix here. Countless opportunities were passed up on day one and two but Fowler is still in this... just.

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"Sergio Garcia has come out looking in good touch. He was up there last year, right in the mix. Could this be his chance to win that elusive major. He's got close a few times."

Birdie

There are low scores to be had out there. Anirban Lahiri gets on board the birdie bus on the first and moves to six under... Jordan Spieth looks angry with his approach at the third... No idea why, it lands about 10 feet from the flag... Sergio Garcia does even better and gets inside.. Birdie putts for those two coming up...

Birdie

Easy peasy. Eddie Pepperell taps in his birdie putt on the 15th - that's his seventh of a faultless day. The young Englishman moves level with compatriot Danny Willett, who tees off in a short while alongside Dustin Johnson, and Australia's Marc Leishman in joint second.

Loosening up...

Some range watch. The leader Dustin Johnson is mullering a few balls with an iron under the watchful eye of renowned coach Butch Harmon.

BBC

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"I think it's looking like you need to be eight or nine under to be in with a sniff tomorrow. There's plenty of birdies out there to be had."

Eddie Pepperell has not marked down a birdie on his card for FOUR holes now. That's the Englishman's most barren run of the round. Now he has another sniff of getting in the red. The Open debutant beautifully carves a short iron though the semi-rough on 15 to roll his ball within the length of a putter shaft of the hole.

England's Andy Sullivan angrily sighs and shakes his head. He misses a par putt on the last to finish an excellent round - containing an eagle at the 14th and five birdies - with a dropped shot. That's a 68 for the 29-year-old...

The race for the silver medal

BBC

The stuff of dreams for Ashley Chesters. The amateur rounds off a stunning few hours with a snorter of a birdie on 18 to rejoin Paul Dunne at the top of the amateur leaderboard. A round of 67 for Chesters and just four shots off the lead... If the wind comes in this afternoon, who knows where he will be?

Just when you don't want to pluck out a bogey... Rickie Fowler's charge up the leaderboard is halted on the troublesome Road Hole, the American pushing his par putt past the hole. That's his first dropped shot of the day.

Getty Images

Of those 26 incredible rounds of 63, eight have arrived at The Open with Rory McIlroy striking the last at this course in 2010.

And here is an absolute corker of a stat. Of the 26 rounds of 63 in a major, only five players went on to win the tournament. Proof perhaps that one stunning round is not enough to get the job done.

Frank Nobilo

Former European Tour golfer on BBC TV

"A great start by Sergio Garcia and a nod of appreciation from Jordan Spieth, who then follows up with a birdie of his own."

Par

Well it wasn't quite a record-breaking round, or even record-equalling in the end - but it was a damn good effort. Unheralded Aussie Marc Leishman pulls his approach shot on the last, leading to a concerned look that he might finish with a damp squib of a bogey. But he recovers to save par and record the lowest round of the week so far with a 64. Eight birdies, no blemishes and a move up to joint second place.

BBC

Bogey

Ashley Chesters drops a shot on 17 as he moves back to five under. His first bogey of the day as he drops behind Irishman Paul Dunne in the battle to be the best amateur. He is still four under for the day though...

On the first

BBC

Just like Phil Mickelson earlier, Charl Schwartzel goes wayward with his opening tee shot and finds the Swilcan Burn. He knew as soon as ball left peg that he was going to be in bother. Playing partner Justin Rose takes heed, knocking his mid-iron shot down the middle.

Birdie

Just the start Sergio Garcia wanted as he waves his putter at the galleries in delight... The Spaniard sinks his 10-footer on the first for birdie to move to six under overall and just four shots off the lead. A waft of the putter towards the galleries and he strides on purposefully to calls of 'go on Sergio'.

Playing partner Jordan Spieth follows up with a birdie of his own after a delicious approach.

BBC

No man has birdied the Road Hole today - until Englishman Andy Sullivan. Decked out like a soft mint in white jumper and cool green trousers, he rattles his birdie putt up the slope from the front of the green...and straight into the can from 45 feet.

Oooh. Marc Leishman winces and looks to the crowd after seeing his birdie putt slide just right of the 17th hole. That's his chances of a 62 over - unless he bags an eagle at the last of course...

On the first

Jordan Spieth finds the narrowest part of the first fairway, precisely drilling his tee shot between the bends of Swilcan Burn. Sergio Garcia follows him on to the tee, huge cheers for the popular Spaniard. The greatest current player not to win a Major? Possibly. Sergio follows the line of his playing partner. Both men in position A.

'Key to control your ball flight'

BBC Sport

Luke Donald, who is at evens and tees off at 14:10, speaking on BBC One: "In the last round I managed to shoot a good score in some tough conditions. It was a testing day and a pretty good score. You are going to make some mistakes but there is some good stuff going on and hopefully more of that today. I love links golf, I love the imagination and the fact you don't necessarily be a bomber to be successful but instead control your ball flight and and putt well on greens which are a little different surfaces from what we play on week-in, week-out."

On the first tee

While Marc Leishman aims to create history coming up the last two holes, a blockbuster of a two-ball is heading the opposite way. Both men are at five under, both are big names, yet their careers in majors are tales of opposing fortune.....

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The race for the silver medal

Ashley Chester is just two birdies away from shooting the lowest round by an amateur at The Open. The Englishman pars 16 to keep him five under for the day so knows a birdie birdie finish will make a bit of history. He is in a bit or rough stuff off the tee on 17...

Tom Lewis's 65 in 2011 is the current lowest round by an amateur.

Marc Leishman grins away as his spanks his second shot on the 17th over the cavernous Road Hole bunker and within 10 foot of another birdie. Sink that - and grab another three on the last then he will writing his name into the record books...

Can Leishman make history?

Last time we told you about Eddie Pepperell, he was eyeing up a lengthy birdie putt on the 12th. The Englishman gamely runs that up the slope towards the hole - but the ball doesn't trouble it. He leaves himself an easy par putt though to stay two adrift of Dustin Johnson.

What of Rickie Fowler? The bushy-eyebrowed American may slightly resemble a Thunderbirds villain, but he's not playing like a puppet. Fresh from winning the Scottish Open last week, Fowler is finally finding his form on the Old Course, sinking another birdie putt on 15 to move within three shots of overnight leader Dustin Johnson.

The race for the silver medal

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It is turning into some battle to finish the 2015 Open as the top amateur. All of the five who have made the cut will receive a bronze medal, with the top player winning the silver medal.

Ashley Chesters with a kind lie in the rough on 16 and he boldly lands his approach plum on the middle of the green. Another birdie putt coming up for the Englishman...

BBC

The skies are dark and threatening to heave over the Old Course again. Luckily Eddie Pepperell is lighting up a dull day with some sparkling golf. Ah - the commentator's curse. The Englishman pulls his tee shot on 12 into a bunker called 'stroke' on the left. Apparently it's called stroke because it should cost you one on the hole, but Pepperell produces a great recovery to sit just a lengthy two-putt away from a hold.

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James Steel: This is the worst Open I can remember. The Old Course's only defence is the weather which is impossible to predict. Incredibly dull watching so many average players shooting four and five under through the front nine.

Show me the birdies...

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Darren Chisholm: Have a feeling that the Major record of 63 could be in jeopardy today.

Ash Brassington: The players are going low on moving day what price Jordan goes mid to low 60s?

Furyk wants a windy afternoon

Philip Dawkes

Clubhouse leader Jim Furyk on BBC One: "The other part of the field probably deserves good weather as well but they are not getting it. The temperature has dropped, it has got windier and it is raining pretty good. We had perfect weather for 17 holes.

"It now depends on what happens weather wise. In those conditions there were going to be a lot of low scores. As good as scoring conditions as I have ever seen here. I felt the leaders would shoot low but if the weather now stays nasty, and the leaders stay around 10 under, maybe I do have a chance."

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

"It's very difficult to pick a winner at the moment. It's a question of when the nerves come in and who can handle it."

Another hole, another birdie. Marc Leishman tucks in his eighth one of the day over on the 455-yard 15th. That moves him alongside England's Danny Willett on nine under and a share of second place...

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Martin McConachie: Went to the first ever "People's Sunday" at Wimbledon in 1991 with my 7-month pregnant wife. Queued from 03.00 till 10.00.

Ryan T: Trip to Paris for the 2007 Rugby World Cup final. Decided to jump on the ferry about 6 hours before it left. Slept on the floor of the station.

We asked you about the lengths to which you have gone to attend sporting events. Get involved via Twitter (#bbcgolf) or Text (81111 - UK only).

Leaderboard

BBC Sport

A quick reminder of where we are at. Eddie Pepperell and Marc Leishman both storming up the leaderboard.

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"Super golf from Pepperell. Six birdies in 10 holes. if he can find a few more and get to 10 that would really be making a move."

Another Englishman making everyone sit up and take notice is Eddie Pepperell. The Open debutant guides a birdie putt on the 10th into the right pocket of the hole - lifting him to tied third place....

'I had three lunches yesterday'

Philip Dawkes

Justin Rose, who tees off at 13:40, speaking on BBC One: "It's important to get off to fast start. You can see there's been some good scoring early on playing into tight flags in the breeze. There's a bit of rain around now but it should clear up later. You're not expecting the leaders to give you anything so you have to go out and shoot a good score today. How did I spend my day off yesterday? It was quite nice. I watched a bit of Davis Cup, a bit of the Ashes had an afternoon work out - and about three lunches!"

The race for the silver medal

Ashley Chesters from 25 feet for birdie on 14.... It looks a perfect read as the ball swings from right to left... Is it going? Yes, yes, no... It clips the right edge of the hole performs a horseshoe movement and squirts out. A sixth successive par for the amateur.

England's Andy Sullivan is not a player who we've wrote about too often this week. How do you grab our attention? By knocking in an eagle on the 600-plus par-five 14th....

Eddie Pepperell is ticking along just nicely under the grey, slate skies of St Andrews. His birdie attempt on the ninth has the legs, but not the line...par. Then peppers the flag on the next - the short par-four 10th. From the middle of the fairway the Englishman loops a short iron into the wind, which holds the ball up nicely. Two short bounces, a bit of sidespin, and a six foot putt for another birdie....

A tenner to watch tomorrow

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"It's only a tenner to get in tomorrow and you can pay on the gate. That's only the price of 10 deep fried Mars bars."

Ged Scott

BBC Sport at St Andrews

Reuters

Shropshire's Ashley Chesters, who plays at 1985 Open champion Sandy Lyle's old club Hawkstone Park, is one of a number of British and Irish amateurs - including his rival for the Silver Medal Paul Dunne - delaying their expected transfer to the professional ranks until after the Walker Cup against the USA at Lytham in September.

Chesters is coached by another Shropshire lad, former European Tour pro Michael Welch, who was once the World Boys champion, beating Lee Westwood in the final.

The 26-year-old's mum and dad, Gina and Nigel, who are up here watching him, both served as club captain at Hawkstone, near Wem.

The race for the silver medal

Amateur Ashley Chesters is playing the very daunting final few holes. He has played impeccably to get to five under for the day and six under overall - very much in contention for the silver medal.

On the par-five 14th, he rips a drive down the right. Just off the fairway, but looking good. He opts not to gamble carrying hell bunker and lands his second on the fifth fairway.... Third is on the green but some way for birdie.

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"A good morning's work for Jim Furyk. Six birdies for six under. His lunch will taste very nice indeed."

Three pars to finish for the arc-swinged Jim Furyk, who has six birdies scrawled on his scorecard for a 66. The American is four shots off the lead and scurries back into the clubhouse to dry off.

AP

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Ewan Ramsey: The kind of weather I want at #TheOpen2015. Let's see how good the players are now.

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

"I'm not sure who is taking over from Ivor Robson as The Open announcer when he steps down at the end of this tournament. Sir Bruce Forsyth? Good game, good game. Or Jimmy Tarbuck perhaps?"

Eagle

Ernie Els was talking about "easy conditions" just before the rain started belting it down at St Andrews. Not so easy now, eh? Doesn't look it as American Ben Martin, face scrunched up as stares towards the 14th can, hunches over his ball. But he makes a mockery of the conditions, drilling his ball up the slope from the fringe, trundling it along a good 30 feet...straight into the can.

Ben Dirs

BBC Sport at St Andrews

"Not many of those I've spoken to plan on returning on Monday, not least because they have jobs and families to return to or other destinations planned.

"But Gary and Helen from Florida, seen leaving the Old Course shop with bags of golf swag, are staying put. 'For us Americans, this is like a pilgrimage,' said Helen.

"A very wet one, it's lobbing it down all of a sudden..."

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

Chatting about Jim Furyk's legendary caddie Mike 'Fluff' Cowan: "What happens when Fluff's moustache gets wet? Does it droop down over his chest? Maybe he hoovers it once a year, finds keys and coins, a stub for a cinema in it."

BBC

'There's a lot of red numbers to be had'

Philip Dawkes

Ernie Els, who finished three-under-par, speaking to BBC One: "It's a normal golf day just a day late. But it's just a round of golf. Monday will be our Sunday now. Today there's a lot of red numbers to be had, as there is no wind and easy conditions out there - certainly for our rounds. But there's tricky flags - hole five I've never seen one in my life. I think if you play properly you can get a good score. Today you can card a 66. It's a day of making putts and the greens are as good as they've been."

No waterproof jacket for Eddie Pepperell - he just sticks on an emerald green jumper and grits his teeth. The Englishman continues his charge in the wet stuff, pitching onto the ninth green with the deftest of wedges. Another birdie chance....

BBC

Quick, get the brolly out! Caddies across the Old Course are pinging out the brollies, while Marc Leishman - today's big mover - wriggles into a pair of waterproofs on the 14th tee. Hammering it down in Fife now...

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"Eddie Pepperell has got his eye in today. The eighth won't get many birdies away and he is now seven under. If you are going to start playing well, The Open is the place to do it."

Tricky pin position on the eighth, right at the back of a large green which slopes gently from front to back. Eddie Pepperell sticks his tee-shot on the dancefloor, perfectly judged down the slope, tapping in from a matter of inches.

Rain returns

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"The weather has changed completely in the last half hour. It's really unpleasant now."

Easy does it! Marc Leishman, waiting to get the nod to take his chance on the 13th, looks anxiously over to the fifth pin which shares the same green. The Australian is unruffled by the slight delay though, stroking in from about five feet to move into tied third place.

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Michael Strachan: The last Person to win The Open on a Monday was Seve. I reckon Sergio is going to turn it on today.

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Alex: Mark James is certainly the 'Richie Benaud' of golf commentators - perceptive, pithy comments with a lovely dry sense of humour (witness yesterday's analysis of Ken Brown's athleticism on the width of the first hole!). Marvellous stuff - keep it going.

Tom Fordyce

Chief sports writer at St Andrews

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"After the meteorological chaos of the last two days - Flooded Friday, Sitting Around Saturday - today at St Andrews is both much calmer and potentially much more thrilling. There are showers passing through, and grey clouds overhead, but this is a day for piling up the birdies and charging up the leaderboard. At last the 2015 Open is alive."

The race for the silver medal

Another birdie putt for amateur Ashley Chesters on 12 as he continues to go merrily on his way... tough put though, up the slope and a good 12 feet away.... well judged as the putt comes to rest for a tap in. He stays five under for the day and six under overall, just four off the leader.

Twit twoo! Eddie Pepperell is eyeing up another birdie on seven. About eight foot out, he takes his time, carefully choosing his line. A little left to right, he thinks. Nope, the ball doesn't move as he anticipates, leaving a simple nudge in for the par. The Englishman looks a little disappointed as he fails to card a birdie for only the second time so far today...

Vote

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Time for you all to have your say? Is Jordan Spieth going to make a charge today? Will Dustin Johnson continue leading the way?

Vote on who will be the leader of The Open at the end of the third round on the right of this page on desktops and by clicking on the vote tab on tablets. It closes at 16:00 BST and we will publish the results soon after. You can read the Ts and Cs here.

Latest scores

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Where on Earth has Marc Leishman appeared from? The Aussie has sneaked under the radar, with six birdies today, to move within striking distance.

'I have competitive rust every time I play!'

BBC

David Duval, who finished his round five-under-par, tells BBC Sport: "It felt good to make the cut for the first time since Birkdale and finish well today. We had bad weather for both rounds, but I guess that might even out. This is my fifth Open at St Andrews and I felt good - It's great to be here and remember playing links golf and putting it all together. I've felt really close to playing well. It's my fifth tournament this year and it's hard to play against guys who have played 15 tournaments. I have a bit of competitive rust almost every time I play!"

Ged Scott

BBC Sport at St Andrews

As a Chelsea fan, Eddie Pepperell is well used over the last year to the concept of not playing that well, yet still getting results.

And, after completing his second round late on Saturday evening, he admitted that was exactly what had happened to him over the first two days in shooting rounds of 72 and 70.

"I've not played that badly, but certainly not as well as I can and my putting has had to help me out. Now I just have to see if I can build on this and get better," the Oxfordshire golfer told BBC Sport last night.

Judging by his five birdies in six holes so far, which is a lot more like title-winning stuff, he's certainly done that.....

Somebody call 999 - Eddie Pepperell is on fire! The floppy-haired Englishman digs himself out of a bit of bother on six, hacking his second shot out of the heather to about 15 foot. And that putt presents little problem, the 24-year-old drilling his straight into the can. Six holes, five birdies, three shots off the lead....

The race for the silver medal

Pressure? What pressure? The two-time winner of the European Amateur Championship, Ashley Chesters, is playing just his second ever Open and is absolutely loving it. The 26-year-old lands an iron for another very makeable birdie putt on 10. His radar is on. A putt to take the lead in the battle of the amateurs... he's given it a chance... not this time. Another par.

Lee Westwood wasn't grinning yesterday after dropping three shots in his final three holes on the resumption. But he is seeing the happy side of life today. The Englishman sees a birdie putt scamper into the 18th hole, his fourth of the morning, ending in a three-under-par 69.

BBC

Birdie

As you were. Phil Mickelson claws back that early dropped shot, confidently planting his birdie putt on three into the middle of the hole. Big Phil bounds off, taking the acclaim with that slightly-embarrassed expression that he always seems to wear.

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Michael Clifton: Flying back from Egypt today thinking I was going to miss the Open finale. Now going to see it live and taking the wee fella too!

We asked you, with the R&A announcing tickets are £10 for Monday's final round at The Open, has it persuaded you to make the trip to St Andrews?

Could Duval really repeat his success of 2001?

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"I've not seen much of Eddie Pepperell but he's certainly one to keep an eye. on He could be a star of the future. He's made a superb start here - if he can keep that going he could climb that leaderboard."

Birdie

PA

"Gerrin' there Eddie lad!" shout a couple of pleased Pepperell fans at the back of the fifth green. The young Englishman grins too, because he has sunk his fourth birdie of the morning to move up to joint 10th place...

Phil Mickelson blows the chance to wipe out that early bogey on two, then takes some advice from his long-time caddie Bones on the third tee - sticking his driver back in the bag and instead plucking out the three-wood. The bagman earns his corn - Leftie finds the safety of the fairway.

Reuters

Former world number one David Duval, Tiger Woods' main rival around the turn of the Millennium before disappearing into relative obscurity, has been back in the big time today. The American is playing in the third round of the Open for the first time in seven years - and he is loving it. He just fails to sink a birdie putt on the last, but already has seven others on his scorecard to finish five under for the day - and the Championship.

The race for the silver medal

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Not again surely? Amateur Ashley Chesters flights a sumptuous approach to within 10 feet of the ninth... He gives his birdie putt a chance but pushes it past and leaves a tester for par... In the middle though and he stays on six under after three birdies and an eagle.

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Dr Bernoulli: Darn! Had a premonition Gary Woodland is going to do something special today, but can't find any round three specials to put a bet on.

Gavin McGale: Fancy Schwartzel to make a move today, keep an eye on him.

David Reid: Hoping for a Scottish win this week, Lets go Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren.

Getty Images

Rickie Fowler is well aboard the birdie train this morning, nailing three in the opening seven holes. Chance of a fourth on eight - no! The American has to pick his jaw up off the pristine green after seeing his putt on the par three skim around almost the entire circumference of the hole before wriggling away.

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Gareth Ikin: Final round for a tenner?! I would most definitely be going, except I start my new job tomorrow.

Alex Large: Now whenever anyone asks me why I became a teacher I can go "remember the 2015 Open? I drove up overnight and watched!"

Andrew Dalgleish: Day off work booked for tomorrow and heading to St Andrews for the final round! Can't wait!

Andrew Cotter

BBC Sport commentator

"Three birdies in four holes for England's Eddie Pepperell now. They are flying in."

Double bogey

That trouble in the sand on 14 has proved costly for Graeme McDowell. The Northern Irishman needed two attempts to escape one of the deep Beardies bunkers on the left, forcing him to walk away with a seven. That's two double bogeys so far today for McDowell - as well as eight birdies. The definition of a mixed bag.

Birdie

BBC

Ashley Chesters can't do much wrong. He fires his tee shot on the par-three eighth towards the flag, a couple of bounces on the green, a bit of a roll and it rests five feet short. A chance to go five under for the day and six under overall... He is taking his time lining this one up, now the club is grounded, he swings back and... never in doubt. Another birdie. He joins Paul Dunne as joint amateur leader.

St Andrews becalmed...for now

Ben Dirs

BBC Sport at St Andrews

"Hardly any wind in St Andrews this morning, in complete contrast to the howls of yesterday. But with the wind expected to get up later, a low score this morning could put you right in the hunt for Monday. A shower passing through, but nothing major."

Bogey

Phil Mickelson puffs his cheeks out and looks to the heavens. He is already moving on 'Moving Day' - moving down. His par putt on the first shys away from the hole, leaving him in bogeyville. Better news for playing partner Gary Woodland though. The American sticks his approach with a ruler length of the pin, sinking the putt to move in the opposite direction to Big Phil.

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Mark Galloway: Less wind today at St Andrews. If Davud Duval is -6 then be prepared for low scores today. Birdie blitz.

Martin Mc: Come on Danny Willetts you can do it for England. Settled down to watch the golf what better than that on Sunday with Peter Alliss.

Paolo Brand: Already the birdies are flying across the links. A windless St Andrews is there for the taking for someone today by the look of.

On the first

Reuters

Great recovery from Mickelson, who pushed his opening tee shot wide. His relief position leaves a tricky approach, the Swilcan Burn snaking away towards the first green ahead of him. No bother. Leftie beautifully slices underneath the ball, sticks on a bit of back spin, and ends up within 10 foot of a save.

A horrible-looking birdie putt up the hollow on seven for amateur Ashley Chesters. If he gets up and down for par, he will be more than happy... A solid strike up hill, it gathers pace and comes to rest a few feet away from the pin... No mistake for par as his flying start to the third round continues. Four under for the day and second in the battle to be the best amateur.

Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, on the weather

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"We've had another rainy and cloudy start but the forecasters tell us we are going to have a good day and it's just frustrating what's happened over the first few days. We only ever suspend play when there is lighting, flooding or very high winds and we've been very unlucky to have had two of the three."

Reuters

"Match number 20. On the first tee, from America, Phil Mick-ul-serrrrn." Old Leftie, Phil Mickelson, is welcomed onto the first tee by the familiar tones of Open starter Ivor Robson. But the five-time Major winner soon hears groans in his ears - and a splosh. That's the sound of the crowd telling him that his ball is taking a swim in Swilcan Burn.

Good start for young Englishman Eddie Pepperell. Birdie, birdie on the opening two holes moves him to -4. Uh oh, bad times for Graeme McDowell though. The one-time Major winner dumps one way left into the fairway bunker on 14 - and needs two stabs to lob his ball out of the cavernous sandy hole. That came after a birdie on the previous hole. Every club golfer feels your pain G-Mac....

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With the R&A announcing tickets are £10 for Monday's final round at The Open, has it persuaded you to make the trip to St Andrews?

Let us know of any last minute decisions you have made to attend a sporting event. What lengths have you gone to get there? Where will you be travelling from to attend on Monday? Send your stories and pictures our way via #bbcgolf or text 81111.

The first 62 in a major?

Iain Carter

BBC golf correspondent on Radio 5 live

"I know I've always said that 63 will never be broken in a major, but if you look at someone like David Duval, who is only a part time golfer these days, he's already -6 after 14, so today could be the day."

The race for the silver medal

PA

England's Ashley Chesters is tearing the course up. After firing two birdies on the opening four holes to move to three under for the championship, he holes an absolute monster from about 40 feet for eagle on five. The amateur is up to five under for the championship one ahead of American Jordan Niebrugge (-4) and one behind Ireland's Paul Dunne (-6). The silver medal will be awarded to the lowest scoring amateur.

Jim Furyk - the veteran American of the idiosyncratic swing - is always there or thereabouts. A deft touch from the world number six, from the thick stuff over the front bank of the 12th green, puts him within sight of a birdie three. Lee Westwood sinks another par on 15 to keep him well in the red.

Westwood's charge

Lee Westwood had a horrible windy ending to Saturday, with three dropped shots on the last three holes taking him to level par for the Championship. He has returned refreshed and refocused and, with three birdies through 14, he might yet have a slight sniff of the Claret Jug. Still seven shots back though.

Weather update

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BBC Weather's Chris Fawkes: "This morning's rain will clear quickly with the weather brightening up, some sunny spells breaking through the cloud. The weather through the afternoon will stay mostly dry with a small chance of a shower at St Andrews. Much lighter winds compared with yesterday, with a 10mph north west wind."

Weather update

Put those brollies away and lay off the firm hold hairspray - rain and strong winds are not going to be visiting St Andrews today. Says who? Says our meteorology master....

Birdie

David Duval is on fire. The American sinks another birdie putt on 14 for his seventh of the day, taking him to six under and into the top 10. There are scores to be had on the Old Course this morning.

Meanwhile, Graeme McDowell birdies his seventh hole of the round moving him to four under for the day and the Championship after 11. American duo Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk are also four under for their seconds rounds, along with Canada's Graham Delaet.

Moving Day

Hazel Irvine

BBC Sport Presenter

"It took a total of 39 hours to complete the second round, but in the only second time in its 144 year history, The Open will finish tomorrow, so today is moving day."

TV coverage under way

"Do da do, duh, duh, duhhhhhh..." No that isn't the theme tune to Crocodile Dundee - viewers on BBC One have just heard that the famous intro music of our golf coverage. Click the 'Live Coverage' tab on this page and presenter Hazel Irvine, along with legendary commentators Peter Alliss and Ken Brown, will magically appear on your screen.

Three become two today and a glance down the field reveals a few tasty third-round pairings. Here are the times the leaders will tee off...

14:10: Luke Donald (Eng), Retief Goosen (SA)

14:20: Paul Dunne (Ire) (a), Louis Oosthuizen (SA)

14:30: Jason Day (Aus), Robert Streb (US)

14:40: Adam Scott (Aus), Zach Johnson (USA)

14:50: Marc Warren (Sco), Paul Lawrie (Sco)

15:00: Danny Willett (Eng), Dustin Johnson (US)

Latest scores

BBC

While Duval and McDowell are tearing through the Old Course, they are still short of the first screen of the leaderboard. Overnight leader Dustin Johnson is top of the pile, a shot clear of a trio of British players - Danny Willett, Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren - with a few Major winners tucked in just behind.

Pin positions

Early movers

PA

There are some good scores being made early on with David Duval of the United States hitting six birdies through the first 13 to take him to five under for the day - and the championship.

2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell (pictured) is having a busy day. He hit six birdies on the front nine to fire him up the leaderboard. G-Mac's card has been dented a tad by a double bogey and a bogey on six to leave him on three under through 10.

Of course, there is more chance of seeing Tiger Woods on the Old Course today than there is of seeing an icy blizzard. But it is grey, wet and a little windy on this mid-July morning in St Andrews. However, there is little danger that Mother Nature will ruin another day of the Open. Plenty of the world's best players are already out on the links, with David Duval and Graeme McDowell among the early movers on the 'moving day' that has moved.

Stand outside the St Andrews locker room and you might just hear Dustin Johnson singing that old nursery rhyme to himself. The American, the nearly man of golf's majors, is sitting pretty on top of the leaderboard ahead of today's third round.

Wait! Third round? But it is Sunday? If you've only just tuned into the 144th Open Championship today (shame on you if you have), expecting to follow the final day drama then you must wait until tomorrow.

So far we've had biblical rain and gale force winds disrupting play on the east coast of Scotland. All we need today is some snow and then we've got the full house of golf-ruining bingo.

Rain, rain go away,

Come again another day.

Rain, rain go away,

Big Dustin wants to play....

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