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Norman, 53, leads British Open

Sat 19th, July 2008

Southport, England (Sports Network) - Greg Norman's magical run into golf history continued on Saturday.

The 53-year-old two-time former champion posted a two-over 72 in demanding conditions on Saturday and is alone in the lead after three rounds of the 137th British Open Championship.

Norman is through 54 holes at two-over 212 and is two clear of defending champion Padraig Harrington (72) and overnight leader K.J. Choi (75) at Royal Birkdale.

Norman is the oldest man to lead a major through 54 holes and if he can make it to the winner's circle on Sunday, he will become the oldest major champion by over five years.

"I'm enjoying myself," acknowledged Norman, who hoisted the claret jug in 1986 and 1993. "I was glad I was nervous and I'll probably be the same way tomorrow. No matter if you're in the lead or you've got a chance to win, you've got to go out there and play well."

"The Shark" will have an ominous piece of history going against him. The last time he held a 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour was the fateful 1996 Masters. On that Sunday a dozen years ago, he walked to the first tee with a six-shot lead and walked off 18 five shots behind champion and playing partner Nick Faldo.

Norman has not won on tour since 1997 and barely plays competitive golf anymore. His new bride, former tennis star Chris Evert, has motivated him to play again and the decision could lead to history.

After a pair of 70s to start the championship, Norman spoke of low expectations. That might change now that he's 18 holes away from a third major championship.

"I still have to do that," Norman said of keeping a realistic approach. "My play has been reflected in my mindset. Right now I'm ready to go play. As long as I keep enjoying what I'm doing, a happy mind brings a lot of happiness."

Simon Wakefield managed an even-par 70 and moved up to fourth place at plus- five.

The brutal conditions on Saturday featured wind gusts that almost reached 50 miles per hour. There was a brief discussion of calling play after Wakefield and Anthony Kim both complained that their balls were not staying on the greens after marking them.

"We had a couple of players on different greens, green number eight and green 10, who were in vulnerable positions by chance at the same time so that created a concern," acknowledged R&A Director of Rules, David Rickman.

Play was called at Royal Birkdale 10 years ago due to excessive wind, but that did not happen on Saturday. Everyone finished and the leaders had the most demanding of conditions.

Consider 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis.

He played with Phil Mickelson early on Saturday and was tied for 38th. Curtis shot an even-par 70 and went into the clubhouse tied for 19th. He ended up tied for fifth place with Ross Fisher (71), Kim (71) and Alexander Noren (75) at seven-over 217.

"I got away with a few shots and made a few putts, and that's the hardest part," said Curtis, who won his claret jug at Royal St. George's. "It's hanging on for dear life out there."

Mickelson struggled to a six-over 76 and is tied for 48th at plus-13.

David Duval's fairy tale British Open came to a screeching halt on Saturday. He posted a 13-over 83 and fell into a share of 64th at 15-over-par 225.

Now that one improbable run has come to an end, another is certainly in full swing.

Norman trailed Choi by a stroke, but dropped three strokes in his first six holes. A bogey at six, in the conditions, was more like a par and Choi double- bogeyed the hole after he drove into a bunker.

Choi bogeyed the eighth after another poor drive, but Norman rolled in a 10- foot birdie putt. That hole led to a tie for the lead at plus-two between Norman, Choi, Harrington and Jim Furyk.

There was a long delay on the 10th tee thanks to some rulings and a five-putt by Peter Hanson. The wait hurt everyone at the top of the leaderboard, including Norman, who went way right off the tee. Choi also double-bogeyed the hole, but the two remained in the lead at plus-four.

Choi took sole possession of first with a 20-foot birdie putt at the 13th. Norman matched him in the lead one hole later with nine-footer for birdie, then Choi bogeyed 15 to give Norman the outright lead at three-over par.

Harrington birdied 15, bogeyed 16 and birdied 17 to get to four-over. He got up and down for par at the last to get in at plus-four, one behind Norman and tied with Choi.

Norman hammered a long drive into the fairway at the par-five 17th. He hit a six-iron right at the flag, but the ball rolled back to 45 feet. Norman nearly holed the long eagle putt, but settled for the tap-in birdie and a two-shot lead.

At the closing hole, Norman found the first cut of rough off the tee. His approach came up short and right and Norman's two-shot cushion appeared to be in jeopardy.

That was until Norman almost made his chip from off the putting surface. He tapped in and ended a challenging day with a wonderful result.

"I'd put it in the top-three toughest rounds I've ever had to play under the circumstances and the conditions," said Norman. "You had to go do what you see in your mind."

Now Norman has to sleep on the lead for the first time in over a decade, let alone in a major championship.

"I'll sleep well," said Norman. "Have a quiet dinner with some laughs."

Rocco Mediate (76), Henrik Stenson (70), Graeme Storm (72), amateur Chris Wood (73), Ian Poulter (75) and Robert Allenby (76) are tied for ninth place at eight-over 218.

Furyk tallied two double-bogeys and three bogeys on the back nine en route to a seven-over 77. He fell into a tie for 15th at plus-nine with Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Retief Goosen and last year's runner-up Sergio Garcia.

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