Carnoustie (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Justin Rose took full advantage of serene early conditions at Carnoustie on Saturday to shoot a superb 64 and rocket up the leaderboard at the British Open.
The Englishman’s seven-under-par round was capped with birdies at the 17th and 18th, the latter after a stunning approach, as he equalled the lowest round in an Open on the Scottish links.
It was not quite good enough to trouble Tommy Fleetwood’s overall course record of 63, set last year, but Rose is now four under par for the tournament and finds himself in the clubhouse just two shots adrift of overnight leaders Zach Johnson and Kevin Kisner.
The American duo not tee off until 4pm (1500 GMT), just after Fleetwood and Pat Perez, who are five-under.
If the conditions are not so kind later in the day, former US Open champion Rose might fancy his chances of becoming the first English golfer to win the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo in 1992.
Japan’s Yusaku Miyazato could be on for his best showing at a major after a round of 65, which left him three-under overall.
Meanwhile, reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed was enjoying a superb round before dropping shots at the short 16th and then the 17th to finish with a 68 and sit at level par for the championship.
England’s Chris Wood was six-under for the day, and -4 overall, heading to the 15th.
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