The Open: Dustin Johnson admits 64 could have been better
Saturday 22 July 2017 17:20, UK
Dustin Johnson admitted he had let slip a chance to match, or even better, Branden Grace's 62 in the third round of The Open.
The world No 1 was five under for his round after notching his fifth birdie at the 10th, but he could only add one more gain - at the 15th - on the back nine, to leave him with a six-under-par 64.
"It definitely could have [been even better]," the American told Sky Sports.
"I was five under through 10 and I definitely had a lot of chances coming up. I just didn't hole enough putts.
"At 16 I had a really nice chance and left it short from eight or 10 feet, and then at 17 I was right in the middle of the fairway and made five, so I let a couple of chances get away.
"But, other than that, I hit the ball very well today. I didn't really make any long putts but I just hit it really good today. The first time I have hit it well in a while."
Johnson had struggled a little as he carded a 71 and 72 in the opening two rounds at Royal Birkdale, but he clicked into gear immediately on Saturday as he birdied the first after hitting his second shot to within a few inches of the hole.
"I had a good session on the range today," he added. "I kind of got a good feeling and I started hitting some nice shots, so it felt good."
Johnson is now three under for the tournament but believes he may require trickier conditions on Sunday if he is to reel in the players ahead of him.
"It all depends on the weather," he said. "If it is breezy on Sunday you never know - you go out and shoot seven or eight under in breezy conditions anything can happen.
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"But, as long as I am not too far behind, I like to think I have a chance."
