Open day four: Justin Rose and Dan Brown eyeing history books
The English pair went into Sunday one shot behind leader Billy Horschel.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England’s Justin Rose and Dan Brown had history in their sights on what promised to be a thrilling final day of the 152nd Open Championship.
Rose and Brown were part of a six-way tie for second behind American Billy Horschel at Royal Troon, with the top 24 players separated by just six shots on a highly-congested leaderboard.
A second major title for Rose would come 4,053 days after he won the 2013 US Open at Merion, breaking the previous record of 4,026 days set by Julius Boros in winning the US Open in 1952 and 1963.
World number 272 Brown would be the lowest ranked major champion since Ben Curtis won the 2003 Open when ranked 396th. Curtis was also making his major debut at Sandwich, with Brown only securing his first appearance thanks to a birdie on the last hole of a 36-hole qualifier at West Lancs.
Brown held the outright lead until an unfortunate double bogey on the 18th but a third round of 73 left him just a shot behind Horschel, who scrambled his way to an astounding 69 in wet and windy conditions to finish four under par.
That gave the 37-year-old a slender lead over six players, with Brown and Rose joined on three under by US PGA champion Xander Schauffele and a trio of players who had exploited ideal early conditions.
South African Thriston Lawrence, who teed off more than three hours before the final group, carded a superb 65 to set a clubhouse target later matched by Sam Burns (65) and Russell Henley (66).
As the weather took a significant turn for the worse, they steadily climbed the leaderboard to end the day in a tie for second, with world number one Scottie Scheffler ominously poised another stroke behind.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who took a two-shot lead into the third round, struggled to a 77 to fall three shots off the pace in pursuit of his second Open title.
Shot of the day
Si Woo Kim made a hole-in-one on the 17th in ideal conditions earlier in the day, but six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo and Dame Laura Davies both felt Scheffler’s 3-wood to three feet was even better back into the teeth of the wind.
Round of the day
Thriston Lawrence and Sam Burns both shot 65 in the good early conditions, but Horschel’s 69 in the worst of the weather was sensational.
Quote of the day
“Sadistically enjoyable” was Justin Rose’s memorable description of Saturday’s conditions.
Statistic of the day
Top statistician Justin Ray highlights the improbable rise of Sam Burns, who headed into the final round in a tie for second.
Easiest hole
The par-five fourth was the easiest hole for the first time, yielding 28 birdies, eight bogeys and just two double bogeys for an average of 4.800.
Hardest hole
The 504-yard 11th played the most difficult, with just two birdies, 30 bogeys, four double bogeys, four triple bogeys and a nine from Joaquin Niemann resulting in an average of 4.662.
Selected tee times
1335 – Matthew Jordan, Justin Thomas1345 – Adam Scott, Shane Lowry1355 – Scottie Scheffler, Daniel Brown1405 – Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele1415 – Russell Henley, Sam Burns1425 – Thriston Lawrence, Billy Horschel
Weather forecast
Dry with some brighter spells developing and only a very slight chance of a light shower. Winds gusting between 18-22mph from 10am onwards.