Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood recovered from slow starts to remain in the hunt for the Dunhill Links Championship and the European Order of Merit title on Saturday.
Returning to the Carnoustie course where he won the first of his back-to-back Open titles, Harrington played the front nine in 40 but came home in a superb 34 to end the day in a share of fourth place.
Harrington, who currently heads the Order of Merit from Westwood, ended the third day in a share of fourth place.
Westwood dropped six shots in his first six holes before hitting 35 over the final nine to rescue his hopes of ending the year as European No. 1.
Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Swede Jarmo Sandelin share the lead on six under par, with Sweden’s Magnus Carlsson a shot behind and Harrington among a four-strong group another stroke adrift. Westwood is four off the lead on two under par.
With victories in the last two majors under his belt, many would see Harrington as favorite to claim his third win in the event, but he insisted: “I wouldn’t see myself as favorite. I’m happy that I’m only two behind. I was two behind going out and I still am.”
“I’m not 100 percent confident about how I’m playing. It will be interesting to see how this situation pans out. I’m looking forward to getting into the hunt on the back nine and making a few birdies,” he said.
Yesterday’s final round was due to be a family affair for joint-leader Kaymer, who is playing with his brother Philip — whose caddie for the week is their father — in the team event.
The 23-year-old’s mother died from cancer earlier this year, only two weeks after his emotional victory on home soil in the BMW International in Munich.
“I’m looking forward to Sunday and I think I have a chance,” Kaymer said. “I can play with my brother and father again because we are fifth in the team competition, which will be great.”
The cut changed from four over par to five over when Italy’s Francesco Molinari, in the last group out, bogeyed the 18th at Carnoustie. But that was still not enough to get Colin Montgomerie into the final round, the Scot finishing double-bogey, bogey at Carnoustie to miss out by two shots. World No. 8 Ernie Els also missed out after a 76 left him nine over.
Of the 10 Ryder Cup players competing, only Henrik Stenson and Miguel Angel Jimenez missed the cut, Jimenez retiring hurt midway through his third round. Only Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter were absent from the tournament.
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