The 145th Open: Two-horse race for the Claret Jug, says Nick Dougherty
Last Updated: 17/07/16 8:18pm
Nick Dougherty was impressed with the way both Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson handled the pressure in the third round and believes it is now a two-horse race for the Claret Jug on Sunday.
Leaderboard
Mickelson started the day on 10 under par, one stroke clear of Stenson, but the latter's round of 68 saw him leapfrog the American and take a one shot lead of his own into the final round.
With conditions expected to be much the same on Sunday as they were on moving day, Dougherty is expecting another intriguing battle between the pair.
"The forecast is for it to be pretty similar, maybe with a fraction less breeze," said the Sky Sports pundit.
"They've had a day's experience of it now as well. The fact that they've gone out together and both played that well in the last group at The Open - that takes some doing.
"That's testament to why they're at the top of the leaderboard and why it probably will end up being a two-horse race."
Dougherty was full of praise for Stenson's showing in the third round and believes that had it been someone other than Mickelson playing alongside him they could have been "blown away".
"He's been a great player for so long and you look at his record, what he's achieved in the game and he's done everything," he added.
"He's been a strong man in Ryder Cup teams as well. I just think he's got a big golf game, his prowess tee to green - a lesser player than Phil Mickelson would have been blown away because he's made it look quite easy.
"He's just been in there with a chance [to win a major] so many times but much like Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, it's not quite happened up until this point. This could well be that time when he gets over the line."
