Ginn gets tonic with round at Seniors Open

Australian Stewart Ginn holds a one-shot lead heading into the final day of the Senior Open Championship at Muirfield after posting the tournament’s first sub-70 round since Thursday.

Ginn, joint second overnight, began with back-to-back bogeys but recovered those dropped shots at the fifth and eight.

Further birdies at the 15th and 16th brought him saw him finish two under par for his round and three under for the tournament.

That was one ahead of two-time Senior Open champion Tom Watson, who carded a one-under 70, and three in front of Mark O’Meara.

Argentinian Eduardo Romero is one over after a 73 while Englishman Gordon Brand leads the home challenge on two over.

Six-time major winner Nick Faldo, making his Seniors debut, posted a 75 – his worst round so far – to drop back to four over and all but out of contention.

Ginn, whose rounds have improved throughout the tournament after shooting 71-70 on the opening two days, said the key to success was just hanging on in the blustery conditions.

“The course is a brute and you have to be patient with it,” he said.

“You have to be focused out here because there is only long grass and bunkers if you miss the fairway.”

Watson, who had three birdies and two bogeys, admitted he found today more difficult than previous rounds.

“It was kind of a struggling round today compared to yesterday,” he told Sky Sports.

“The putter was still pretty good in my hands, which is always a nice feeling at a championship like this.

“I hit a few very good shots and a few very bad shots so it evened itself out.”