Levet takes two shot lead at Troon

Thomas Levet, who was not even in the British Open this time last week, was setting the pace in the third round at Royal Troon today.

Levet only secured his place in the field by winning the Scottish Open on Sunday, but shared the lead after the first round and set off this afternoon just one behind surprise leader Skip Kendall.

The in-form Frenchman found himself surrounded by some of the world’s best players with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen all in contention.

But with Kendall three-putting the first he claimed the outright lead with a birdie on the third, and moved two clear of the field with another from 10ft on the fifth.

American Todd Hamilton made it a one-shot lead when he picked up his third birdie in five holes on the Postage Stamp, but Levet birdied the sixth as well to restore his cushion.

It was the first time anyone had reached nine under par this week but the chasing pack were hot on his heels and packed with major winners.

Mickelson birdied the first two holes despite slicing his opening tee shot into thick rough to the left of the 18th fairway, and briefly shared the lead when he picked up another shot on the seventh.

Woods had also birdied the first two holes in more orthodox fashion, and when he picked up two more to race to the turn in 32, looked to be on a trademark charge through the field.

But the world number one needed an eight foot putt to save par on the 10th after missing another fairway and played a perfect chip and run from left of the green on the next to remain five under.

His luck ran out eventually after another errant drive on the 12th, and at four under par was suddenly five off the pace.

Ernie Els had also reached six under before becoming another victim of the deep bunkers protecting the green at the Postage Stamp, at 123 yards the shortest hole on the British Open rota but always capable of ruining a promising scorecard.

Colin Montgomerie had found the same bunker a few minutes earlier but escaped with par, but the Scot was only out in 36 and was alongside Woods on four under.

The 41-year-old birdied the fourth and seventh but dropped shots at the third and fifth as he tried to make the most of the fervent local support at his home course.

US Open champion Retief Goosen was also firmly in the hunt, the South African carding four birdies in an outward nine of 34 to lie five under.