Not many people would have predicted Billy Horschel having the outright lead going into the final round of The Open at Royal Troon, but the West Ham fan leads the way on four-under-par.
Horschel produced an outstanding round yesterday in the worst of the conditions in the afternoon at Royal Troon. The American shot a two-under-par 69. Horschel was faultless during his first nine holes, finishing four-under-par with birdies on four, six, seven and nine.
The weather wreaked havoc with the leaders in the afternoon session of play. Horschel was proud of his efforts and said:
“It’s by far my best round in really tough conditions in The Open.”
Horschel will tee it up with South African, Thriston Lawrence, who is one shot back at three-under-par. Lawrence benefited from missing the worst of the wet, windy conditions, shooting a six-under-par 65. Lawrence said:
“It’s amazing. Obviously, I had the perfect conditions on the front nine, and just took full advantage of it.”
Also on three-under-par, Sam Burns shot a six-under-par 65. Lawrence and Burns started the day at three-over-par (tied 28th), ten shots behind second-round leader Shane Lowry.
Sadly for the Irishmen, the conditions did him no favours at all. Lowry shot a six-over-par 77, which included a double bogey on the par three, Postage Stamp.
Post round, Lowry was very frustrated with how the course was set, he said:
“Look, I don’t really know what to say. It was a grind. It wasn’t much fun.
“Driver, driver into 15. 16 playing ridiculously long. Driver into 17. Then you’re standing on the 18th tee wondering if you can actually hit the fairway, if you can reach the fairway, and it’s 230 yards to the fairway. Bear in mind my driver pitched about 220 yards on the 17th hole.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite this, Lowry is still in contention at one-under-par. Any of the top 14 players, down to Matthew Jordan, Adam Scott and Justin Thomas who are a handful of players at level par will all believe they can challenge Horschel at the top of the leaderboard, being only four shots behind.
This year’s Major championship winners, Scottie Scheffler who won The Masters is at two-under par and Xander Schauffele, who won the PGA Championship is at three-under-par will be many people’s favourites.
The final round of the 152nd Open at Royal Troon could have the potential to be one of the closest yet. Whoever wins, will undoubtedly deserve the honour of being called Championship Golfer of the Year given how hard the conditions have been all week.
Cover image: TROON, SCOTLAND – JULY 20: Billy Horschel of the United States and his caddie, Micah Fugitt look across the fifth green on day three of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 20, 2024 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
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