Troon: World No. 1 Jason Day was once again left to lament his struggles on the back nine at Royal Troon after the third round of the British Open on Saturday.
The Australian had come to Scotland as one the favourites but has never really got himself into contention.
On Saturday, a level-par round of 71 left him stuck at one-over for the championship and effectively ended any hopes he had of contending for the Claret Jug on Sunday.
And yet Day had started superbly, with four birdies and no dropped shots on the front nine.
But his back nine could not have contrasted more starkly, with no birdies and four bogeys including one at the last.
“I played great. I could have been six or seven-under on the front side. Then turned the back side, and the 10th hole with the bogey kind of stopped my momentum,” said Day.
“It’s obviously very hard to get momentum back up when you’re playing that back side.”
Last year’s USPGA champion has not picked up a single shot on the back nine all week, playing it seven over par.
“It’s been terrible. That’s why I’m not in the tournament right now,” he admitted.
“So if I would have played the back side a little bit better this week, I think I would be right around the lead.
“I was thinking if I get four or five (under), that would be very close, and then that gives me an opportunity for tomorrow (Sunday).
“Unfortunately four bogies on the back side, I mean, you’re playing golf like that, you don’t deserve to win.”
