The Open: Ian Poulter angered by 'disappointing' third round at Royal Birkdale

Ian Poulter was left to rue a 'disappointing' third round at The 146th Open which saw his chances of first major title all but ended at Royal Birkdale.

Poulter began his third round in the penultimate group, alongside US Open champion Brooks Koepka, but was left frustrated as he lost ground on leader Jordan Spieth and dropped down the leaderboard with a one-over-par 71.

The Englishman started three shots adrift of Spieth but now sits nine strokes behind the two-time American major winner, and was left to rue a missed opportunity in perfect conditions around the Southport links.

"It's disappointing, extremely disappointing - easy conditions and the greens were soft," Poulter said. "No excuses. From a three-putt at the first, which was poor... it's a real shame."

The 41-year-old, who qualified for The Open at his home course of Woburn, made back-to-back birdies at the 9th and 10th before making three successive bogeys.

Grace fires historic major 62

Branden Grace became the first man in history to shoot a round of 62 in a major during the third round of The 146th Open

He added: "I tried to get some adrenaline going and just threw them all away.

"Not to make stupid mistakes, Poulter said," when asked what he could do to get back into contention on Sunday. "There were too many stupid mistakes.

"I made one bogey yesterday in all those treacherous conditions we had and then I made five bogeys today. It's not good enough, simple as that. I don't know what else to say."

The Open Live