For most of the afternoon, the leaderboard of the 139th British
Open has a distinctly European feel. OK. OK. So Louis Oosthuizen is
from South Africa, but he plays the European Tour and has a second
home in Manchester, England. Besides, two shots behind the
27-year-old is England’s Paul Casey while Martin Kaymer of
Germany and Alejandro Canizares of Spain are five back and
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson is six off the pace. And let’s
not forget world No. 3 Lee Westwood, the hardy Englishman who is 6
under with three holes remaining. Several young Americans, though,
are making their presence known. Dustin Johnson has just polished
off a 69 to finish at 6 under while Nick Watney, Sean O’Hair
and Ricky Barnes are another stroke behind. And Barnes has two
holes remaining. Think American Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin
isn’t paying attention? And Europe’s Colin Montgomerie
has got to be feeling pretty good. –
Helen Ross