Turnberry, Scotland - Mathew Goggin joined American Tom Watson at the top of the leader board of the British Open at Turnberry after playing a one-under par round of 69 in Saturday's third round. The Australian joined Watson, who is bidding to become the oldest- ever winner of a golf major, on three-under for the tournament, but with the American still out on the course.
The 59-year-old Watson, who first won the Open in Carnoustie 34 years ago, was two-over par for the day with four holes to play, while his playing partner Steve Marino, who went into the round level with Watson, fell behind after three bogies and a double-bogey on the opening nine holes.
Although Marino, who was born five years after Watson won his first Open, eagled the par-five seventh, he slipped down to tied fourth place, but clawed his way back to third with a birdie on the 11th.
Goggin, who had two birdies on the back nine, said that he knew he was closing in on the leaders.
"I was aware of the pressure. There is a lot of work to do tomorrow and some of the guys still have a few holes to play so we will have to see how it all pans out.
"But I felt very relaxed today. The big turn around was the eighth hole where I was in the bunker and I had to hack it out side-ways and then I had a 15-footer for a bogey and I managed to keep the double off the cards. That gave me the momentum into the back nine."
He said that he would not feel under pressure in Sunday's final round. "It is a bigger stage but the process stays the same, so you just try and stay within yourself and you try to be as calm as possible and hit quality shots.
"I have been hitting the ball well and putting well and as long as I dont get nervous I should have a pretty good day," the 35-year-old said.
Ross Fisher, who was on stand-by to leave the tournament as his wife Jo is expecting their first baby, played consistent, steady golf to stay within striking range of Watson and Goggin on two-under.
The 28-year-old was tied-third on two-under.
South African Retief Goosen looked in contention to challenge for the lead at one stage but twice needed help from the spectators to find his ball on the seventh before declaring it unplayable and finishing with a double-bogey seven to move to two under.
He then bogeyed the 12th and 14th hole to slip down to even par to go three behind the leaders.
The best round of the day shortly before the end of play on Saturday belonged to American Bryce Molder, who had two bogeys on the first five holes, but then finished strongly with five birdies on the remaining holes for a 67, which took him to par for the tournament.
