Sun shines on Open hopefuls

Bright sunshine greeted the early starters in the third round of the 134th British Open championship at St Andrews today.

The cut fell at one over par last night, meaning exactly 80 players returned to the Old Course this morning.

Among them was five-time champion Tom Watson, who played the last five holes of his second round in two under par to qualify right on the mark.

The 55-year-old’s achievement almost went unnoticed as he was playing alongside Luke Donald and Jack Nicklaus on the first two days, Donald challenging for the lead and Nicklaus making his last, emotional major championship appearance.

Watson continued where he had left off last night with birdies at the third and fifth to improve to one under par.

And playing partner Scott Drummond was also making an early charge, the former PGA champion rolling in a hat-trick of birdies from the third.

At two under par Drummond was still nine shots off the lead held by Tiger Woods however, the world number one not due out until shortly after 3pm alongside home favourite Colin Montgomerie.

Montgomerie carded a superb 66 on Friday to finish seven under, four behind Woods.