Aussies part of blitz at Open

Jason Day, Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are making their charge towards the Claret Jug early in the final round of the British Open at St Andrews.

The trio of Australians are just one shot off the lead held by 2010 St Andrews champion South African Louis Oosthuizen and former Masters winner Zach Johnson.

Oosthuizen birdied the first hole to move to 13 under for the tournament through three holes of the final round while Johnson is four under through his first seven holes to also hit the top, but the Australians are on the hunt.

Day remains at 12 under, his overnight co-lead score, though four holes while Scott and Leishman have joined him after blitzing out of the blocks with three early birdies apiece.

Scott earned some early luck when his approach to the first jumped the Swilcan burn and he buried a birdie putt before knocking in further birdies on the fifth and sixth holes.

Leishman, a day removed from his tournament-best 64, has birdied the first, third and fourth holes to rocket into contention.

Grand slam hopeful Jordan Spieth wasted no time in making his presence felt, hitting it in tight on the first and ramming home a birdie to get to 12 under.

Anthony Wall (12 holes), Sergio Garcia (five holes) and Padraig Harrington (four holes) also sit in the tie for third at 12 under for the championship.

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 after round three.

“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.

“That little piece of immortality and glory that comes along with winning the Claret Jug at the home of golf, at St Andrews, it would be an unbelievable piece of experience that no one could ever take away from you.

Steven Bowditch is the next best Australian at eight under through 10 holes.

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