The Open: Louis Oosthuizen hopes for St Andrews repeat
Last Updated: 19/07/15 9:39pm
Louis Oosthuizen hopes his past success will give him the edge as he heads into the final round of the 144th Open at St Andrews with a share of the lead.
The South African, winner of the tournament at the same venue five years ago, topped a congested leaderboard on 12 under along with Irish amateur Paul Dunne and Australia's Jason Day after shooting a third round 67.
Grand Slam-chasing Jordan Spieth, winner of the Masters and US Open this year, was just a stroke back and two-time champion Padraig Harrington was also firmly in the picture on 10 under. Another nine players were on nine under.
Oosthuizen said: "It's so much fun to be playing the Open, playing for the Claret Jug.
"It's the biggest tournament that I can play in and playing it around St Andrews makes it a lot more special.
"I think confidence-wise, knowing I've done it before at this golf course, I will take a lot from that.
"But there's a lot of golf that needs to be played. Jordan is obviously looking at making history, so you can expect him to fire on early and to really be up there, Jason is playing unbelievable.
"There's so many players that can still win this. It's going to be one of the tightest Opens."
England's Justin Rose, the 2013 US Open winner, was among the group on nine under after a third round 68 that almost slipped through unnoticed amid all the other developing stories.
"I'm kind of invisible, which I like," Rose said. "My caddy said to me on 16, 'It's going to take three solid rounds and a low one - and we haven't had a low one yet'. It's probably going to have to take a 63, but I'm playing well and I'm putting well."
Spaniard Sergio Garcia was also well placed on nine under and looking to improve on his third-round 68 to launch a strong challenge.
Garcia said: "My feelings weren't amazing. I'm not saying that I played badly, but I didn't feel like I was totally smooth and totally on.
"So to be able to shoot a solid round like I did today, I'm still happy with that. But there's a lot of really, really good players there that are going to be there having a chance tomorrow."
Former world No 1 Adam Scott, also nine under, did not make up the ground he hoped to with a 70, but was happy enough with his position.
The Australian said: "Luckily it's super bunched, so it's really going to be a shoot-out tomorrow. I'm still in the mix and I've got to go out and get off to a quick start."
