Billy Horschel is as close as he’s ever been to a major championship.
Horschel survived a bad weather round on Saturday to take a commanding lead in Sunday’s final round at the British Open. He will start the day at 4-under for a one-shot lead over the field at Royal Troon in Scotland.
It was the seventh time Horschel had at least a share of the 54-hole mark. He has converted three of the previous six titles. The last six major championship winners had at least a share of the 54-hole lead.
While he’s in a big position, Claret Jug can still be caught by anyone. Horschel will match up with Tristan Lawrence, who is one of six golfers sitting one stroke back at 3-under. Top-ranked Scotty Scheffler is No. 2, and Shane Lowry, who has been in the mix all week, will start at No. 1.
That double bogey came at the worst possible time for Scotty Scheffler. He recorded a six on the par-4 9th after running into some trouble with his putter and is now 2-under for the week.
Suddenly, the world’s top-ranked golfer was four back.
Justin Rose is not gone
Justin Rose birdied again to match Horschel at 6-under, and the crowd at Royal Troon went wild. The Englishman is looking for his first major championship win since 2013.
Billy Horschel holds the lead at 5-under with Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele joined the group at 5 under, but Billy Horschel sunk a long birdie putt behind him to take the lead alone at 6 under.
Based on how it’s going so far, it won’t last.
Leaderboard
We have seven golfers who share the lead or are currently tied for the lead at Royal Troon. Hook.
Leaderboard
T1. Justin Rose (-5)
T1. Tristan Lawrence
T1. Billy Horschel
T4. Shane Lowry (-4)
T4. Scotty Scheffler
T4. Xander Schauffele
T4. Russell Henley
Shane Lowry bounced back
After his bogey to start the day, Shane Lowry bounced back. He now leads after a birdie at No. 8, his fourth in his last five.
Horschel, Lawrence Mendan
Justin Rose’s lead didn’t last long. Billy Horschel and Tristan Lawrence both tied with him at 5-under par.
Justin Rose, sole proprietor
Thanks to his second birdie in four holes, Justin Rose is now the sole leader at Royal Troon.
Shane Lowry from downtown
Shane Lowry had a three-stroke lead on Saturday.
What if there was a playoff?
With so many players at the top of the leaderboard, a playoff is not impossible, but it is possible. The Open Championship uses a four-hole aggregate playoff, with holes 1, 2, 17 and 18. After that, the battle becomes sudden death. Be prepared.
(Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)
Birds, eagles in the air at Droon
Royal Troon isn’t exactly “kettable” in golf parlance, but for the leaders, early on Sunday, there were chances. Justin Rose briefly tied for the lead at -4, and Billy Horschel recaptured it moments later to move to -5. And then there was Sungjae Im:
The general assumption is that the outer nine is the easiest of the two halves of the troon; Let’s see how the second half plays out for the leaders in an hour.
John Rahm: Too little, too late?
It’s been a memorable season for Jon Rahm: a T45 finish in his Masters defense, a missed cut at the PGA Championship, an exit from the US Open. And he struggled early in the Open Championship. But on Sunday, he started his day with three straight birdies at -1, three strokes off the lead. Unfortunately, he missed one of the two par-5s, but he finished at -2 on the 7th. To do any kind of charge, he has to keep rolling that hot streak into the closing holes.
(Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)
The wind blows
Flags stand at attention and leaders bend their sticks as they begin their rounds.
World No. 1 Scotty Scheffler left his approach on No. 1 a little short of the green, but was par. Shane Lowery scrambled for par from a greenside bunker.
Only two groups have yet to leave.
Justin Thomas fired himself
So, you start the day four steps back from the lead. By the time you get to the second tee, you’re seven back. Justin Thomas started his round with a triple in the first. How it came about:
First: OB
Second: Punishment
Third: Fairway Bunker
Fourth: 11-yard field goal
Fifth: Green
Sixth: Putt
Seventh: Hole
Jason Day gives one back
After Welp made the turn in 32, Day immediately bogeyed the 10th, putting him back over par. Note: The back nine played harder than the front all week.
Don’t sleep on John Rahm
Three holes, three birdies for Rahm, who is -1. What a start for the Spaniard.
