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1. Sergio Garcia (65-71-68—204). Three birdies and no bogeys Saturday. That's tidy. Garcia would be the first European champion at the Open since 1999, when Paul Lawrie of Scotland won at Carnoustie, and the first Spaniard since 1988, when Seve Ballesteros claimed the Claret Jug at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

2. Steve Stricker (71-72-64—207). The American hasn't played in the Open since 2002 but he's had a good record in the other majors lately (two top 10s and a tie for 13th in his past four majors). He's also had two second-place finishes this year on the PGA Tour. His 64 yesterday was the lowest round in Open history at Carnoustie and puts him within sight of his first major title.

T3. Chris DiMarco (74-70-66—210). He's considered among the best Americans out there, but his unspectacular play this year makes his Open showing thu far a surprise. He's had just three top 25s in 18 starts on the PGA Tour. At Carnoustie, he's come down four strokes every round. He'd surely reel in Garcia if he could continue that trend, not to mention set a bunch of records.

T3. Paul McGinley (67-75-68—210). It looked like the Irishman's first-round 67 was a fluke after his second-round 75. But he rebounded nicely Saturday, making just one bogey.

T3. Stewart Cink (69-73-68—210). The American hasn't won on the PGA Tour since 2004 but he's having a resurgent year. He's had four top-10 finishes.

T3. Padraig Harrington (69-73-68—210). The Irishman was the fourth favourite coming in and won his own national championship earlier this season. If anyone in the group tied for third can catch Garcia, it might be Paddy. Especially if the weather Sunday is not so bonny: Harrington is good in the wind and rain.

T3. Paul Broadhurst (71-71-68—210). The Englishman was the leading amateur at the 1988 Open and has since fashioned a decent pro career. He came out of a mid-career slump in 2005 with a win at the Portuguese Open and defended the title in 2006. He credits his son with motivating him to turn around his game. His son once told a stranger in a supermarket: "My dad used to be a good golfer."

T3. K.J. Choi (69-69-72—210). The South Korean slipped a bit Saturday but is still playing the best golf of his life. He's won three quality tournaments since last October, two of which were in the past six weeks or so.

T10. Mike Weir (71-68-72—211). The Bright's Grove, Ont., native is among a group of five tied for 10th. Seven shots may be just too many to make up Sunday, although it's been done before, most famously at Carnoustie in 1999 when Paul Lawrie started the final round 10 back and won. Of course, Lawrie had a little help from Jean Van de Velde.