The Open 2023 LIVE: Third round golf leaderboard as Brian Harman leads by five after third round
American Brian Harman will take a commanding five-shot lead into the final round of the 151st Open Championship after holding the chasing pack firmly at bay at Royal Liverpool.
Masters champion Jon Rahm claimed he felt “invincible” as he surged through the field with a record-breaking 63, but that adjective could equally apply to Harman as he remained on course for a maiden major title at the age of 36.
As crowd favourites Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy frustratingly failed to fire, Harman recovered from a shaky start to compile a third round of 69 and 12-under-par total of 201.
Compatriot Cameron Young, the runner-up at St Andrews last year, is Harman’s nearest challenger following a 66, with Rahm – seeking the third leg of a career grand slam – another stroke behind.
Follow live coverage from the third round of the 151st Open Championship at Hoylake below:
The Open Championship 2023 - live updates from Hoylake
Brian Harman leads 151st Open Championship by five shots lead heading into final round at Royal Liverpool
Jon Rahm shoots stunning 63 to surge into contention
Rory McIlroy falters after promising start to shoot two-under-par 69
-12: Harman
-7: Young
-6: Rahm
-5: Fleetwood, Hovland, Rozner, Day, Straka
-4: A. Fitzpatrick, Sharma
-3: Hojgaard, Detry, McIlroy, Kim, Jordan, Grillo
-2: M. Fitzpatrick, Matsuyama, Homa, Im, Langasque, Spieth, MW Lee
The Open round 4 tee times and Sunday schedule
Saturday 22 July 2023 20:31 , Jack Rathborn
Brian Harman leads The Open Championship by five shots heading into the final round at Hoylake.
Despite the rain, fans were treated to a captivating moving day on Saturday, with Cameron Young, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Jason Day among those making a push to eat into Brian Harman’s five-shot lead at the half-way stage of this major.
Tommy Fleetwood lost ground after starting five shots off the lead, a level-par round sees him now seven shots off the lead. While Rory McIlroy was unable to mount enough momentum to move into contention and begins Sunday nine shots off Harman.
“I got off to a rough start, but I stayed the ship,” Harman said. “I hit a bunch of good ones coming down the stretch. ... I was out there trying to hit every shot the best I could, and I did an OK job with that.”
The Open round 4 tee times for Sunday including Rahm and McIlroy
Brian Harman maintains five-shot lead heading into final round at The Open
Saturday 22 July 2023 20:14 , Ben Fleming
American Brian Harman will take a commanding five-shot lead into the final round of the 151st Open Championship after holding the chasing pack firmly at bay at Royal Liverpool.
Masters champion Jon Rahm claimed he felt “invincible” as he surged through the field with a record-breaking 63, but that adjective could equally apply to Harman as he remained on course for a maiden major title at the age of 36.
As crowd favourites Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy frustratingly failed to fire, Harman recovered from a shaky start to compile a third round of 69 and 12-under-par total of 201.
Compatriot Cameron Young, the runner-up at St Andrews last year, is Harman’s nearest challenger following a 66, with Rahm – seeking the third leg of a career grand slam – another stroke behind.
Read the full report of round three’s action below:
Brian Harman maintains five-shot lead heading into final round at The Open
Jon Rahm hails best ever round of links golf as 63 puts him in Open contention
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:59 , Ben Fleming
It was a record-breaking round today for Jon Rahm whose eight-under-par round of 63 broke the lowest score at Hoylake in Open Championship history.
The Spaniard leapt from two over par to six under at Royal Liverpool with a flawless third round featuring eight birdies.
Afterwards, the world number three hailed it his best ever round of links golf and it’s clear to see why.
Read the full story below:
Jon Rahm hails best ever round of links golf as 63 puts him in Open contention
The Open 2023: Can Harman see it over the line?
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:53 , Ben Fleming
The perfect day for Brian Harman who maintains his five-shot lead heading into Sunday. If he plays anywhere near like he did today, it’s hard to see how anyone will be able to usurp him at the top of the leaderboard. The man alongside him will be Cam Young, who finished runner-up at The Open last year and shot a five-under-par round of 66 today.
Behind them will be the European pair of Jon Rahm and Victor Hovland who both catapulted up the leaderboard after rounds of -8 and -5 respectively today. They’ll need to go big again tomorrow to stand any chance.
Frenchman, Antoine Rozner, will be out after that with Jason Day while Tommy Fleetwood - after his disappointing round today - will go out fourth from last alongside Sepp Straka.
The Open 2023: Leaderboard latest
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:45 , Ben Fleming
Here is how the leaderboard looks after the end of the third round:
12: Harman
-7: Young
-6: Rahm
-5: Fleetwood, Hovland, Rozner, Day, Straka
-4: A. Fitzpatrick, Sharma
-3: Hojgaard, Detry, McIlroy, Kim, Jordan, Grillo
-2: M. Fitzpatrick, Matsuyama, Homa, Im, Langasque, Spieth, MW Lee
The Open 2023: Important par save on the last for Harman
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:41 , Ben Fleming
Harman -12 (69), Fleetwood -5 (70)
Harman leaves a bit of work to do with his putt - about eight feet to be precise - as he looks to save his par. Calm as you like from the American. A big par save on the last brings to an end a mighty-fine round of 69. He had a few wobbles early but battled back in superb fashion before finding a couple more birdies on the back nine to maintain the five-shot lead he started the day with.
Fleetwood has a lengthier effort for birdie, first...wide. Not even close to the hole and that perhaps sums up his round. He just about manages to let out a small smile to the cheering crowd but nothing can hide the disappointment that is written all over his face. An even-par-round of 70 for the Englishman. Just one birdie and he’ll start tomorrow seven shots off the pace.
The Open 2023: Final pair up the last
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:36 , Ben Fleming
Harman -12 (17), Fleetwood -5 (17)
Harman has to hack out of the thick rough as his drive goes wayward. His third shot comes up left and he’ll have an interesting up and down from there.
Fleetwood is left, way left as his ball cannons off the grandstand like yesterday. A drop for him and his chip shot just catches the downslope over the bunker before trickling down towards the hole.
The Open 2023: Costly bogey at the last for Straka
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:31 , Ben Fleming
Straka -5 (70), Min Woo Lee -2 (72)
Straka is in trouble off the tee and can only hack out. It’s a long third shot into the green which comes up short in the bunker. The Austrian tries to get up and down but his putt just drifts wide to the right. A costly bogey at the last means Straka misses out on the opportunity to play in the penultimate pairing.
Min Woo Lee misses his birdie chance and signs off with a one-over-par round of 72. A disappointing front nine was the problem for the Aussie who is still within touching distance of a second successive major championship top ten.
The Open 2023: Day and Sharma finish off
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:23 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -4 (70), Day -5 (69)
Both of these two end up in a spot of bother of the tee and only have lengthy looks at birdie on the last. Sharma’s comes up short while Day’s effort has those in the grandstand up on their feet in anticipation but just misses on the left side.
Two solid rounds from these two but perhaps not quite what they needed given Harman’s exploits at the top of the leaderboard.
The Open 2023: Pars on 17 for Harman and Fleetwood
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:21 , Ben Fleming
Harman -12 (17), Fleetwood -5 (17)
Both opt for the percentage play at the 17th flying it towards the back and spinning it to the middle. It’s around 40 feet for an unlikely birdie but neither find the cup, walking away to the last with a set of pars.
A birdie for Fleetwood would be nice - not sure how much it counts for at this stage - but perhaps it could help raise his spirits somewhat.
The Open 2023: Close for Harman
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:14 , Ben Fleming
Harman -12 (16), Fleetwood -5 (16)
The leader gets a bit of a read from Fleetwood’s missed birdie putt but he too can’t find the cup. He remains at -12 and just needs to safely negotiate these final two holes to bring to a close a lovely third round.
Fleetwood looks like he just wants this round to end. Another par for the Englishman - just one birdie all day.
The Open 2023: Grillo rounds up
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:12 , Ben Fleming
Grillo -3 (70)
A par at the last but another solid round for the Argentine. He sits T11 at the minute with his best finish in a major a T12 at this very tournament two years ago.
The Open 2023: Near misses for Day and Sharma
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:05 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -4 (17), Day -5 (17)
Both players give themselves looks at birdie on the 17th and both end up with the same expression of disbelief as their puts somehow avoid dropping into the cup. Two pars and off to the 18th.
The Open 2023: Mighty close from Straka
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:02 , Ben Fleming
Straka -6 (16), MW Lee -2 (16)
Straka goes way left off the tee but cuts a good break with his ball ending up in the trodden-down grass where the fans have been. He gets himself on the green with a look at birdie, but his putt just grazes the left edge and refuses to drop. That’s unlucky.
Min Woo Lee - Straka’s playing partner - has struggled all day but a birdie-birdie run on 15 and 16 has him back at -2 and +1 for his round today.
The Open 2023: Pars at the 15th for the final group
Saturday 22 July 2023 19:00 , Ben Fleming
Harman -12 (15), Fleetwood -5 (15)
Both players get in a spot of trouble making their way up the 15th, meaning it’s only outside looks at birdie on the par five. It’s two good strokes from the pair of them but both roll past the edges of the cups. Harman won’t mind, in all honesty, but that’s another gettable hole that Fleetwood has failed to take advantage of.
The Open 2023: Dropped shot for Sharma
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:57 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -4 (16), Day -5 (16)
The Indian is off the back of the green after two and it’s a disappointing miss from five feet to save par. A bogey drops him back to -4 and it’s his first bogey in 26 holes.
The Open 2023: Dejected look on Fleetwood
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:54 , Ben Fleming
Harman -12 (14), Fleetwood -5 (14)
Off the tee, it is way left from the Englishman who has a rather sombre look on his face right now. He’s a long way back now but a birdie coming in would be massive. If he can get to -6, he’ll likely be in the second or third final pairing. However, if he stays at -5, he could well be off around an hour before Harman, which, psychologically, is quite a blow.
The Open 2023: Pars for Day and Sharma
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:46 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -5 (15), Day -5 (15)
Other than Cameron Young, the rest of the field has failed to make a move on this back nine as they look to gain ground on Harman. Sharma and Day come and go through the par-five 15th but neither walk off with a much-needed birdie. They both stay at -5 and seven back as things stand.
The Open 2023: Final-hole birdies for Young and Spieth
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:42 , Ben Fleming
Young -7 (66), Spieth -2 (71)
A wonderful bit of quality from Young out of the bunker gives him the much-needed birdie he was looking for at the last. A superb round of 66 means he may well be in the final pairing tomorrow.
Spieth finally finds a birdie at the last to sign off with an even-par round of 71. Not what he would have been looking for on moving day.
The Open 2023: Straka making a move
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:31 , Ben Fleming
Straka -6 (14)
Five holes on the back nine for the Austrian. Three birdies so far after another fine iron approach into the 14th. He’s up into a tie for second and could well be the closest challenger to Harman by the end of the day if he can find another couple coming in.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Day
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:29 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -5 (14), Day -5 (14)
A step in the wrong direction for Jason Day with a bogey on 14. The Aussie opts to putt it up a big slope off the green but he’s not given it enough and the ball comes rolling back to his feet. It’s a good three-putt in the end to ensure just one shot is dropped as he moves back to -5 alongside his playing partner, Sharma.
The Open 2023: Not to be for Rory
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:27 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (69), Homa -2 (70)
His drive goes right off the tee but McIlroy recovers well to give himself a look at birdie...missed. The sense of frustration emanating out of the Northern Irishman is palpable. A front nine that offered so much didn’t deliver enough, while the back nine flattered to deceive. Barring an almighty collapse from Harman today, his hopes of the Claret Jug are over.
Homa makes par for a battling round of 70 but like Rory, the American would have been after a surge up the leaderboard today, which never materialised.
The Open 2023: Harman extends lead to six
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:23 , Ben Fleming
Harman -12 (13), Fleetwood -5 (13)
And just like that, a lead of five becomes a lead of six as Harman goes back-to-back with birdies at 12 and 13. 20 feet and right in the heart, and this could well be a procession tomorrow if the American can find a few more coming in.
Fleetwood’s ball ends up left of the green but he recovers well at the par three to ensure his par.
The Open 2023: Young into second
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:13 , Ben Fleming
Young -6 (15)
The big-hitting American takes care of the par-five 15th with another birdie moving him alongside Jason Day and Jon Rahm in a tie for third. Can he find another birdie coming in to try and force his way into the final pairing tomorrow?
The Open 2023: Harman leads by five
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:12 , Ben Fleming
Harman -11 (12), Fleetwood -5 (12)
A superb fightback from Brian Harman gets even better with a superb approach into the 12th, which comes to rest just five feet from the hole. A birdie moves him to -11 and six clear.
Fleetwood has a chance to move to -6...but no. Another one misses and this crowd has a rather subdued feel about it at this point. Just not happening for Tommy lad today so far.
The Open 2023: Home-course hero Jordan ends in style
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:10 , Ben Fleming
Jordan -3 (69)
Matthew Jordan will not want this week to end. A delightful iron into the last sets up another birdie for the Hoylake member. Four in his last five for a two-under-par round of 69 and a spot just outside the top ten. Wonderful performance.
The Open 2023: Another miss for Rory
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:08 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (17), Homa -2 (17)
Just not happening for Rory. Simple as that. It was a fiery start but the putter has gone ice cold since then. A great iron into the 17th is left unrewarded as another putt flies by.
In the meantime, Max Homa has fought back nicely, with a lovely birdie on 17 moving him back to -2 for the tournament.
The Open 2023: Another miss from Fleetwood
Saturday 22 July 2023 18:00 , Ben Fleming
Harman -10 (11), Fleetwood -5 (11)
Something needs to happen for Tommy and he’s got a great look at it on the 11th. A wonderful iron hangs on the left edge of the green and gives him a great look for birdie at 10 feet. The crowd get him going but he can’t find the cup with a good opportunity.
Only one birdie so far today for the Englishman who needs a rousing finish to get up near Harman. The American has a lengthier look at birdie but misses out to the left.
The Open 2023: Close shaves for Day and Sharma
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:57 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -5 (12), Day -6 (12)
A few quieter holes from this pair almost ends in style with two lengthy putts. They are both excellent efforts from quite some distance, grazing the edges but just not dropping. Unlucky.
The Open 2023: Birdie finish for Rozner
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:55 , Ben Fleming
Rozner -5 (67)
A marvellous display of short-game excellence from the Frenchman who creates a birdie opportunity from an awkward stance and takes full advantage to move to -5. He could well have a say in things tomorrow.
The Open 2023: Back-to-back birdies for Straka
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:53 , Ben Fleming
Straka -5 (11)
What was I saying about a hot streak for Straka? He follows up birdie at the tenth with a wonderful approach into eleven and it’s a tap-in birdie to move up to -5.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Spieth
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:51 , Ben Fleming
Young -5 (14), Spieth -1 (14)
The frustration continues for Spieth as he’s punished with a bogey after a poor drive. He’s back to -1 and out of this tournament, surely. His playing partner, Cam Young, is still right in the thick of it at -5, though.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Fleetwood
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:46 , Ben Fleming
Harman -10 (10), Fleetwood -5 (10)
Far from the ideal start to the back nine for Fleetwood as he finds himself in the greenside bunker after two. It’s a downhill lie and the ball rolls out to about 15 feet. The return par putt doesn’t drop and it’s back to -5 for the Englishman.
Harman has a good look at birdie from the fringe but it’s not to be and he remains at -10.
The Open 2023: Another one goes begging for Rory
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:44 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (15)
We are almost entering must-birdie territory but it’s not happening for Rory after that early surge. At the par-five15th he leaves himself eight feet for birdie but can’t take advantage to remain at -3. Without two, even three birdies coming in, it’s hard to see how he’ll have a chance tomorrow.
The Open 2023: First birdie of the day for Straka
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:40 , Ben Fleming
Straka -4 (10)
The perfect start to the back nine for the Austrian who holes a 30-footer for birdie at the tenth. He joins that group at -4. He caught fire yesterday on the back nine - can he do it again today?
The Open 2023: Grillo sneaking under the radar
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:34 , Ben Fleming
Grillo -4 (11)
Like Rozner, Grillo is not showing any signs of vacating the top of the leaderboard as the Argentine makes a nice birdie on the 11th. Two under par for his round currently and up into the top ten.
The Open 2023: Harman extends lead to four
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:33 , Ben Fleming
Harman -10 (9), Fleetwood -6 (9)
It was a shaky start but Brian Harman has bounced back nicely and it just gets better on the ninth. A wonderful tee shot into the par three comes to rest just four feet from the hole and, from there, it’s a tap-in birdie. He’s back to even par for his round and now has a four-shot lead once again.
Fleetwood heads a bit right off the tee but he gets up and down well. He’s gained one shot on Harman over this front nine but he’ll want another one or two before this round closes.
The Open 2023: Tidy par for Day
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:30 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -5 (10), Day -6 (10)
Day’s ball comes to rest at the front edge of the tenth green but from there, it’s a tidy two-putt to make par and remain at -6. Sharma - a shot back at -5 - also makes par.
The Open 2023: Pars again
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:24 , Ben Fleming
Harman -9 (8), Fleetwood -6 (8)
Both Harman and Fleetwood fail to find the fairway off the tee but recover nicely to give themselves looks at birdie. Fleetwood feels like he is just forcing the issue a bit too much as another just grazes the edge.
Harman’s is out to the right and the pair head to the ninth.
The Open 2023: Kim in the clubhouse
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:22 , Ben Fleming
Kim -3 (68)
Swollen ankle and all, Tom Kim has put together another mighty-fine round. He’s denied a birdie at the last but a three-under-par 68 has the South Korean in and around the top ten as things stand.
The Open 2023: Pars for Young and Spieth
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:21 , Ben Fleming
Young -5 (12), Spieth -2 (12)
A couple more pars for these two at the 12th. Spieth remains quite a distance back but a couple more birdies for Cam Young would do his chances tomorrow a huge boost.
The Open 2023: Eagle for Rozner
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:17 , Ben Fleming
Rozner -4 (15)
The Frenchman has been hanging around the top of the leaderboard all week and vaults into the top ten again with a sumptuous chip-in eagle at the 15th. Very nicely done.
The Open 2023: Day into second
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:16 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -5 (9), Day -6 (9)
What a way to end your front nine! The Aussie’s tee shot comes up left and off the green but Day steps up and rolls a 20-foot putt up the slope, onto the green and into the hole. A three-under-par front nine of 32 has him up in second on -6. Very nice.
A solid par for Sharma too who is -2 for his round and up at -5.
The Open 2023: Pars for McIlroy and Homa
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:14 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (13), Homa E (13)
The 13th has not been an easy hole today and Rory realises that, playing it save with his iron into the par three before knocking in a two-putt for par. The 14th is tricky too but after that, there are birdies to be had...
The Open 2023: Birdie at the last for Hovland
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:12 , Ben Fleming
Hovland -5 (66)
Viktor has gone about his business quietly today but what a superb round he has put together. Just one bogey and the Norwegian finds his sixth birdie of the day at the last, rolling his ball in nicely from just under 25 feet.
A five-under-par 66 moves him up into a tie for fourth currently and he’ll be in contention tomorrow you suspect.
The Open 2023: Superb scrambling from Harman and Fleetwood
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:10 , Ben Fleming
Harman -9 (7), Fleetwood -6 (7)
Both players find themselves in trouble after their second shots. Harman is short, Fleetwood is right, but both show excellent touch to get their chip shots close and leave relative tap-ins. Two pars and onto the eighth.
The Open 2023: Sharma and Day hanging around
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:08 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -5 (8), Day -5 (8)
Sharma almost finds an unlikely birdie at the eighth but his ball comes up just short. He remains at -5, though, alongside Day, and both are still right in this tournament.
The Open 2023: Big par save for Straka
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:06 , Ben Fleming
Straka -3 (7), MW Lee E (7)
A very nice par putt from Straka keeps him somewhat in the conversation at -3. The same can’t be said for his playing partner, Min Woo Lee, who has really fallen out of contention with three bogeys in his first seven.
The Open 2023: Bogey for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 17:01 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (12), Homa E (12)
The early-round excellence with the irons has subsided somewhat from Rory as he’s forced to scramble again when his ball leaks out to the right of this 12th.
The chip leaves a lot to be desired and he can’t make up for it by holing the 20-foot par putt. Back to -3 and six back of the lead. Could that light a fire in Rory to go low in these last six? Many will be hoping so.
The Open 2023: Steady start from Fleetwood
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:57 , Ben Fleming
Harman -9 (6), Fleetwood -6 (6)
Goodness me, that was close. Fleetwood is just begging for his ball to wander left at the death and fall in the cup. It refuses and it’s a par for the local lad. One birdie and five pars is a solid start.
Harman lags his putt down nicely for a par to maintain his three-shot lead.
The Open 2023: Detry finishes well
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:54 , Ben Fleming
Detry -3 (67)
Another very nice surge up the leaderboard comes in the form off Thomas Detry whose birdie outt on the 18th refuses to drop. Nevertheless, it’s a four-under-par 67 which leaves him in a tie for tenth as things stand.
The Open 2023: Good par save for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:49 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -4 (11), Homa E (11)
Today feels like a day when you can’t take a backwards step and so Rory’s par putt on 11 feels almost vital. There’s a bit of work to do but it’s well judged and a solid four. That’s six pars in a row for Rory.
The Open 2023: Harman extends lead to three
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:45 , Ben Fleming
Harman -9 (5), Fleetwood -6 (5)
Something of a nerve-settler for Harman who plays the par-five fifth perfectly, nursing a long putt down to tap-in range to move back to -9.
Fleetwood’s third gets caught up in the rough but he hacks out to around seven feet. A bit of left-to-right but the Englishman pushes it wide. That’s a poor miss from Tommy and just a par on the fifth.
Harman leads by three again.
The Open 2023: Back-to-back birdies for Young
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:37 , Ben Fleming
Young -5 (9), Spieth -2 (9)
Well, after a disappointing bogey on the seventh, Cam Young responds in superb fashion with two exquisite irons into eight and nine. It’s a virtual tap-in on both occasions and he’s back up into a tie for fourth.
Spieth has been rather left behind and is even par for his round at -2.
As they walk off the ninth, there are plenty of umbrellas out. The rain certainly appears to be more consistent and heavier right now.
The Open 2023: Par for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:33 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -4 (10), Homa E (10)
It’s the first time that McIlroy doesn’t give himself a look at birdie but the world number three shows great touch to get up and down and conserve his par. Homa does the same as these two head to the 11th.
The Open 2023: Eagle for Sharma
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:31 , Ben Fleming
Day -5 (5), Sharma -5 (5)
He’s been the forgotten man of this third round but Shubhankar Sharma reminds everyone of how good he’s been playing this week with a superb eagle on the par-five 5th. He’s joined at -5 by his playing partner, Day, who gets a great read of Sharma’s putt and pours it in from long-range.
These two going on nicely.
The Open 2023: Another bogey for Harman
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:27 , Ben Fleming
Harman -8 (4), Fleetwood -6 (4)
Just like Straka and Lee before him, Harman misses the green in regulation, going over the back. From there, it’s a fairly clumsy chip back onto the putting surface and the American can’t save his par. He was making everything yesterday but the putter has dried up so far today.
Fleetwood can’t make his look at birdie but he’s now just two shots back of the lead.
The Open 2023: Straka and Lee drop back
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:24 , Ben Fleming
Straka -3 (4), MW Lee -1 (4)
Just like Cam Young and Jordan Spieth, these two are moving in the wrong direction as they both make birdie having failed to find the green in regulation on the fourth.
The Open 2023: Kim and Detry into top ten
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:22 , Ben Fleming
Kim -3 (14), Detry -3 (16)
This might be the first time I’ve seen Thomas Detry’s name on the leaderboard all week but the Belgian is making a very tidy move today. Three birdies in a row have him at -3 and inside the top ten. He sits there alongside Tom Kim who rolls in a very nice putt on the 14th for birdie.
The Open 2023: Bogeys for Young and Spieth
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:20 , Ben Fleming
Young -3 (7), Spieth -2 (7)
Two missed birdie chances at the previous hole and now two bad misses for par for these two on seven. Both moving in the wrong direction as things stand.
The Open 2023: McIlroy makes the turn five back
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:17 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -4 (9), Homa E (9)
Another hole and another look at birdie for McIlroy who is striking the ball superbly. It comes to rest on the left edge of the green but the 20-foot effort just drifts to the left. Three birdies in the first nine but Rory will feel like it should have been more.
However, if Rahm’s round earlier showed anything, it’s that there are birdies to be had on this back nine.
Homa’s birdie effort grazes the left edge and he walks off with par.
The Open 2023: Pars for Harman and Fleetwood
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:14 , Ben Fleming
Harman -9 (3), Fleetwood -6 (3)
A bit of work to do for these two on the third green. Fleetwood’s ball rolls off the green to the left while Harman’s comes up well short and to the right. A pair of tidy two putts, though, and they remain as they were.
The Open 2023: Awesome from Alex
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:10 , Ben Fleming
A. Fitzpatrick -4 (65)
It’s his first major championship but Alex Fitzpatrick shows no nerves as he knocks in another birdie at 18 for a six-under-par round of 65! Just one bogey on 11 but rounded out with three birdies in his final four holes.
He’s up into T4 as things stand and two clear of his brother, Matt Fitzpatrick.
The Open 2023: Par for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:08 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -4 (8), Homa E (8)
McIlroy’s ball striking is giving himself so many looks at birdie but too many are staying up for his liking. He’s three under par for his round but there’s a sense of frustration as a 13-footer can’t quite nestle in the hole.
Three pars in a row for him, with Homa also making par.
The Open 2023: Missed birdies for Spieth and Young
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:04 , Ben Fleming
Young -4 (6), Spieth -3 (6)
Neither American can take advantage of their birdie opportunities on the sixth as they remain at -4 and -3 respectively.
The Open 2023: Hovland and Alex Fitzpatrick sitting nicely
Saturday 22 July 2023 16:02 , Ben Fleming
Hovland -3 (13), Alex Fitzpatrick -3 (17)
A couple more Europeans getting themselves high up on the leaderboard. Hovland pours one in at 13 while Alex Fitzpatrick looks like he’ll take the brotherly bragging rights into tomorrow as he makes a birdie on 17 to move one ahead of Matt.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Day
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:59 , Ben Fleming
Day -4 (3), Sharma -3 (3)
I can count on one hand the amount of three-feet putts I’ve seen Jason Day miss. Unfortunately for the Aussie, there’s a rare one on the third as he can’t tidy up his par. Back to -4 for him, one ahead of Sharma who remains at -3.
The Open 2023: Fleetwood within three
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:57 , Ben Fleming
Harman -9 (2), Fleetwood -6 (2)
Five-shot lead overnight. Two holes later, that lead is three. Oh, how quickly things can change. Rahm is up at -6 and Fleetwood joins him after rolling in a nine-foot birdie effort.
Harman is tentative with his birdie putt and leaves it short. It was always going to be a tough opening few holes for Harman but he’ll want to send a reminder to the rest of the chasing pack soon enough.
The Open 2023: Par for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:55 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -4 (7), Homa E (7)
Another chance created for McIlroy after a nicely-judged iron out of the second cut. It settles on the green about 30 feet from the hole but the Northern Irishman can’t quite judge the line right, leaving it out the left of the hole. A nice par and he stays five off the lead.
A bogey for Homa having gone over the back of the green. The American has started very slowly today.
The Open 2023: Birdie for Young
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:52 , Ben Fleming
Young -4 (5), Spieth -3 (5)
Cam Young has endured a poor run of form this year but he clearly feels at home in these links conditions. The big-hitting American takes care of the par five to move into the top five at -4. His playing partner, Jordan Spieth, can’t follow suit and makes a par which almost feels like a backwards step given the rate of scoring at the minute.
The Open 2023: Pars for Straka and Lee
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:48 , Ben Fleming
Straka -4 (2), MW Lee -2 (2)
A couple of early good looks for Straka but the Austrian can’t make either stick as he remains at -4. Min Woo Lee can’t convert his birdie chance and he’s one over par for the day after an opening-hole bogey.
The Open 2023: Opening-hole bogey for Harman
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:45 , Ben Fleming
Harman -9 (1), Fleetwood -5 (1)
Our leaders are underway and there’s movement straight away and for those hoping for an intriguing couple of final days, it’s good news.
Perhaps a bit of adrenaline for the leader as he goes long on the first and the American sees his par putt just catch the lip and stay up. Only his second bogey of the tournament as he drops back to -9.
Fleetwood can’t make his lengthy birdie putt and remains at -5.
The Open 2023: Par for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:42 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -4 (6), Homa -1 (6)
Nothing much coming on the sixth as Rory’s tee shot into the par three comes up way short. He misreads the putt, setting it out too far to the right, but knocks in well for his par, as does Homa.
The Open 2023: Day making a move
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:41 , Ben Fleming
Day -5 (2), Sharma -3 (2)
This a moving day to match all moving days with birdies dropping all over the place. Day makes his second in a row to move to -5 while Sharma makes par.
The Open 2023: First birdie for Spieth
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:37 , Ben Fleming
Young -3 (4), Spieth -3 (4)
A few quieter holes for these two but Jordan Spieth breaks that streak with his first birdie of the day at the fourth. Up to -3 and underway for his round.
The Open 2023: Another birdie for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:36 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -4 (5), Homa -1 (5)
The perfect response from a disappointing fourth hole for Rory. Two driving irons - off the tee and fairway - are hit perfectly with his ball running up and onto the green in two. He can’t quite find the eagle putt but it’s a tap-in birdie for the Northern Irishman who moves up further to -4.
Homa is in the sand and can only make a par.
The Open 2023: Record-breaking birdie at the last for Rahm
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:30 , Ben Fleming
Rahm -6 (63)
Simply incredible. The Spaniard was given benign conditions and he has ruthlessly taken apart Hoylake this morning. Another birdie at the last means it’s a bogey-free, eight-under-par round of 63 for the world number three. That is the lowest score in the Open at Hoylake.
He’s catapulted up 37 places as things stands and is now in solo second at -6.
The Open 2023: Opening-hole birdie for Day
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:26 , Ben Fleming
Day -4 (1), Sharma -3 (1)
Both these two are wild off the tee, Day way right, Sharma way left. They both make it on the green alright, though, and it’s the Aussie who makes the most of it, making birdie on the first on back-to-back days.
He moves up to -4.
The Open 2023: Hojgaard continues his charge
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:18 , Ben Fleming
Hojgaard -5 (7)
Anything Jon Rahm can do, Nicolai Hojgaard can do just as well, it would appear. The Dane has made an electric start to his round today as he rolls in an 11-footer for his fourth birdie of the day through only seven holes.
Remarkable start for the youngster who is up alongside Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood in second.
The Open 2023: Birdie for Homa
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:16 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (4), Homa -1 (4)
Another one bites the dust. We are very early in this but I’m not sure how many 11-foot putts Rory can afford to miss if he’s looking to surge up the leaderboard. Not his greatest stroke and he remains at -3.
Max Homa makes the most of his superb approach shot and gets himself back to -1 after a bogey on the second hole.
The Open 2023: Rahm pars 17
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:10 , Ben Fleming
Rahm -5 (17)
The Spaniard’s birdie charge takes a brief pause as he’s unable to convert an outside look at birdie on the 17th. Up the last he heads and a par would see him set the record for the lowest round at Hoylake in an Open championship.
No doubt he’ll be eyeing up more than a par given how he’s playing.
The Open 2023: Two birdies in three for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:05 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (3), Homa E (3)
Here he comes...
A third divine approach shot in as many holes sets up yet another birdie opportunity. This is the closest of the lot and he makes no mistake this time. -3 for the tournament now and he is in the mood.
Homa makes a four to remain at even par.
The Open 2023: Hojgaard up into fourth
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:03 , Ben Fleming
Hojgaard -4 (6)
The Dane took care of the par-five fifth to move himself up to -4 for the tournament. Who knows if Brian Harman will come back to the field but a high finish at the Open will do his Ryder Cup ambitions a world of good if nothing else.
The Open 2023: Rahm on a rampage
Saturday 22 July 2023 15:00 , Ben Fleming
Rahm -5 (16)
And it just keeps getting better. An hour or so ago, I said he’d be looking at -3 or -4 to end the day. Well, now the Spaniard is seven under par for his round and -5 for the tournament after he rolls in a 35-footer for birdie on the 16th.
Not too much celebration, he realises there are more birdies out there on the final two holes.
The Open 2023: Opening-hole birdie for Young
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:58 , Ben Fleming
Young -3 (1), Spieth -2 (1)
Playing with Jordan Spieth, last year’s runner-up makes the most of a ridiculously long tee shot at the first by rolling in a birdie effort to get to up to -3.
The Open 2023: Missed opportunity for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:52 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -2 (2), Homa E (2)
If he’s going to make the necessary jump up the leaderboard, Rory is going to need to make almost everything he looks at on the greens. A monster drive a dialled wedge gives him another great look at birdie from about nine feet...but it drifts past!
Those have to go, one thinks, if he’s to get near to Harman today.
Homa goes long out of the rough with his second and the American can’t find a two-putt par and drops a shot early on.
The Open 2023: Rahm continues to improve
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:49 , Ben Fleming
Rahm -4 (15)
He had to take advantage of the par five and he does! His second ends up in the rough but it’s hacked out well to eight feet and the Spaniard converts to go five-under-par for his last seven holes as he joins Sepp Straka at -4 in a tie for third.
How many more can he find coming in?
The Open 2023: Three in a row for Kim
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:45 , Ben Fleming
Kim -3 (6)
A beautiful iron into the par-three sixth leaves Tom Kim with little over 10 feet for birdie and he converts for his third in a row, joining Rahm and a host of others at -3.
The Open 2023: Defending champion under par
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:38 , Ben Fleming
Smith -1 (68), Matt Fitzpatrick -2 (67)
Birdies at the last for Smith and Fitzpatrick who move to -1 and -2 respectively with rounds of 68 and 67.
Very solid stuff but you suspect both are just playing for money at this point with Harman way ahead at -10.
The Open 2023: Perfect start for McIlroy
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:37 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -2 (1), Homa -1 (1)
You suspect Rory will be licking his lips having seen the early good scoring on offer and the world number two cashes in straight away. Driver off the tee, wonderful approach and he rolls in a ten-footer for birdie.
Plenty more of them needed for the Northern Irishman as Homa makes par.
The Open 2023: Bland and Hojgaard continue charge
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:33 , Ben Fleming
Bland -3 (4), Hojgaard -3 (3)
Rahm has company at -3 with two more Europeans, Richard Bland and Nicolai Hojgaard, finding more early birdies to reach -3.
The Open 2023: Kim flying despite injury
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:30 , Ben Fleming
Kim -2 (5)
The South Korean has been struggling with a grade-one ankle injury after rolling it on Thursday. He’s hobbling around somewhat but it doesn’t seem to be affecting him too badly with two birdies in his first five to sit inside the top ten at -2.
The Open 2023: Schauffele in the clubhouse
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:27 , Ben Fleming
Schauffele -1 (68)
It’s perhaps unusual that someone would be disappointed with a three-under-par round given how the course played the first two days, but you suspect Xander Schauffele will be feeling a tad annoyed with how that back nine played out.
In gentler conditions, the American failed to press on after a really promising front nine and ends on -1. You have to feel that he should have found a couple more coming in.
The Open 2023: Opening-hole bogey for Jordan
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:21 , Ben Fleming
Jordan E (1)
The home-club hero doesn’t have the ideal start as he finds the fairway bunker the first. Playing alongside former champ, Stewart Cink, he has to settle for a bogey after his long par putt comes up short.
The Open 2023: English interest at -2
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:16 , Ben Fleming
A. Fitzpatrick -2 (10), Bland -2 (3)
A nice crop of players hanging around -2 and making the most of these benign morning conditions. LIV’s Richard Bland rolls in a birdie at the third while Alex Fitzpatrick finds his fourth birdie of the day at the tenth to join his countryman on -2.
The Open 2023: Four in a row for Rahm
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:14 , Ben Fleming
Rahm -3 (13)
Well his streak comes to an end with a par on the 13th, but the Spaniard has made an almighty move up the leaderboard with another birdie at 12. A couple more coming in and he is right in the thick of it.
The Open 2023: McIlroy underway shortly
Saturday 22 July 2023 14:08 , Ben Fleming
As we tick past two o’clock, a reminder of the tee times for this afternoon. A certain Rory McIlroy gets underway in just over 15 minutes alongside Max Homa - that should be a lot of fun.
It’s then a further hour until the final group get started:
1415 Michael Stewart (Sco), Guido Migliozzi (Ita)
1425 Max Homa (USA), Rory McIlroy (NIR)
1435 Thriston Lawrence (RSA), Matthew Southgate (Eng)
1445 Cameron Young (USA), Jordan Spieth (USA)
1500 Emiliano Grillo (Arg), Adrian Otaegui (Esp)
1510 Jason Day (Aus), Shubhankar Sharma (Ind)
1520 Min Woo Lee (Aus), Sepp Straka (Aut)
1530 Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Brian Harman (USA)
The Open 2023: Opening birdies for Rozner and Hojgaard
Saturday 22 July 2023 13:59 , Ben Fleming
Rozner -2 (1) Hojgaard -2 (1)
The two Europeans are playing together and get their third rounds underway in the perfect fashion with a set of birdies at the first. They join Rahm up at -2.
The Open 2023: Rahm on fire
Saturday 22 July 2023 13:58 , Ben Fleming
Rahm -2 (11)
Make that three in three for the reigning Masters champion. A monster 360-yard drive and a cute ship sets up a birdie opportunity at the 12th and the Spaniard takes full advantage to move into the top ten at -2.
The Open 2023: Matsuyama into the red
Saturday 22 July 2023 13:56 , Ben Fleming
Matsuyama -1 (3), Hovland E (3)
The 2021 Masters champion has started nicely with an early birdie on three. He’s one ahead of his playing partner, Hovland whose opening-hole birdie was cancelled out by a bogey at 2.
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