Australian golfer Scott Arnold says the Old Course is there for the taking and compatriot Jason Day can win the British Open.
Out in the second group Arnold produced a faultless six-under-par 66 in the final round to jump up to five under for the tournament, well off the pace of the leaders but proving a number is there to be shot.
Winds are due to lift by the afternoon and some rain is also due which could put the brakes on the leaders.
Day joins 2010 St Andrews champion Louis Oosthuizen and Irish amateur Paul Dunne at 12 under as overnight leaders as the Queenslander looks to break his major championship duck and win the Claret Jug.
“I definitely think Jason has it in him and can get it done,” Arnold said.
“I think if he just puts himself in there and gets off to a decent start then he can certainly lift the trophy.
“I think it’s there to be taken. Obviously the wind will pick up a little bit and make it tougher but if he plays like he knows he can then I’m sure he can win.”
After several near misses Day is primed to grab arguably the greatest prize in golf.
The last Australian to win the British Open was Greg Norman at Sandwich in 1993 but the last Australian to win at St Andrews was the late Kel Nagle, 55 years ago in 1960.
“I always wanted to be the first Aussie to win the Masters, but `Scotty’ beat me to it,” Day said.
“Since we haven’t had an Aussie win the Claret Jug since Mr. Norman, it would be nice to put my name on the Jug.
“We’re just trying to chase that bit of immortality. That’s probably the best way to put it – just that you’re stuck in history at that moment.
“You know that year, that person’s name on that Jug is immortal in some way.
Dunne is still a long shot as an amateur hasn’t won a major since Johnny Goodman at the 1933 US Open – or saluted at the British Open since Bobby Jones at Hoylake in 1930.
Grand slam hopeful Jordan Spieth sits well poised just a shot back at 11-under while two-time British Open champion Padraig Harrington is fifth at 10 under.
Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch are also right in the mix to end Australia’s 22-year drought at golf’s oldest and grandest championship.
Scott is in a tie for sixth with Leishman, who will look to back up his magnificent tournament best 64 from round three.
Leishman’s eight-under return was just one shy of the best effort in 155 years of Open championships, a record jointly held by eight players including Norman, who posted a 63 when he lifted the Claret Jug for the first time at Turnberry in 1986.
Bowditch will begin four back at eight under.
