Knowing he effectively needs a miracle to get into victory contention at the British Open, Adam Scott insists he won’t die wondering in Sunday’s final round.
The Australian world No.1 recovered from a slow start to card a three-under 69 Royal Liverpool on Saturday to be tied seventh at six under par heading into the final day, 10 shots behind runaway leader Rory McIlroy.
Scott again rued his misfiring belly putter but five birdies in his last eight holes left him clinging to hope – though he believes major records will need to fall if he or anyone else is to reel in the impressive McIlroy.
“If we have similar conditions (wet and still) again, there are low scores out there,” said Scott the best-placed of the six Australians left in the field.
“I think out of the (leading) group of the guys up there, there’s probably a low one in one of them and if they want to win it and they’re going to have to do it.
“But you never know. We’ve seen so many crazy things happen. I’ve got to give myself hope, you know.”
While many of the pack chasing McIlroy were picking up early birdies at rain-swept Hoylake, Scott missed a stack of opportunities on his front nine, before finding a greenside bunker on the 10th and making double bogey.
“I putted so poorly the first ten holes, missed every chance I gave myself,” Scott said.
“At least I made some the last few holes.”
Scott said he had little choice but to get aggressive on Sunday, and he feels a soggy Hoylake course could reward risk-takers.
“I’m playing pretty well. I just have to pick my moments. But you can certainly get aggressive off the tee,” Scott said.
He sits one shot ahead of Marc Leishman (70), who also finished strongly after a double bogey at the eighth hole set him back.
“I’m probably a bit too far back now but if I can maybe have a good round and sneak into the top five or something, that’s a pretty good goal,” said Leishman enjoying his best British Open yet.
“Or if I can go really, really low, you never know.”
Scott and Leishman are the only Australians under par with Matt Jones the next best at one over after a third-round 72.
Jason Day (74), John Senden (75) and major rookie Rhein Gibson(74) are well out of contention at four over.
