The Open: Third round as it happened

1. Leaders: -12 L Oosthuizen, P Dunne (a), J Day
2. -11 J Spieth; -10: P Harrington
3. Selected: -9 D Willett, A Scott, Z Johnson, J Rose, S Garcia
4. -8 E Pepperell; -7: D Johnson, M Warren; -6 P Lawrie
5. Round three on Sunday after weather delays, final round on Monday

Goodnight

And so, a glut of golfers will chip, putt, battle, scrap and pray on the final day of the third major of the year - The Open.

One man wants to join the golfing immortals and sweep the major board this year while one man wants to win while not even being a professional.

It promises to be special.

Sleep well gents.

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Thank you for your company today. We will be waiting for you at 11:00 BST with a live text on Monday.

Anyone for a play-off?

Remember this smile? Stewart Cink in 2009?

This was the last play-off win in an Open Championship.

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The way this week has got longer and longer, could we go into overtime? Cink will do very well to be part of it. At seven under he surely has too much to do.

Making his way to history?

What a pairing we have at 14:20 BST - Jordan Spieth and Jason Day.

Spieth success on Monday would turn him for golf superstar into global superstar you would think. The unthinkable Spiethslam would be on.

The 21-year-old Masters and US Open champion carded four birdies without dropping a shot on the back nine today.

A full list of tee times will be available on the BBC Sport golf index here shortly. The fundamentals are an 07:45 BST start, leaders off at 14:30 BST and therefore an estimated finish of around 19:00 BST. Unless of course, we get a play-off.

Tee times for Monday are published

European photopress agency

And with a bang and a heavy pitch mark, the tee times drop.

The amateur Paul Dunne will partner the man who won the last time the tournament was played here - Louis Oosthuizen - with their the shots in flight at 14:30 BST.

The pair nudged one another along on Sunday. More of the same? or is the winner coming from lower down the field?

Best stay clear of this man tonight...

The rain is coming...

The sun will shine on St Andrew's for a brief moment on Monday, then cloud, more cloud and some wet stuff arriving right on time for when we expect the leaders to tee off - an estimated 13:30 BST.

BBC

Stay tuned to BBC Sport for accurate tee times shortly but some rain could cause a few issues. Wind picking up in the afternoon too. Those forecast speeds of 10-15mph are stronger than what we had out there today.

That's good news Louis. Because you're playing together again tomorrow...

Your key times for Monday...

Some day that one. Some day. You want to see more drama tomorrow?

BBC One will be up and running at 13:45 BST tomorrow, BBC Radio 5 live from 13:00 BST and red button service is fired up at 13:30 BST.

AP

We await the tee times.

DJ out of tune

The stats don't do Dustin Johnson's reputation as a weekend offender any favours. Here are his combined round-by-round scores in the last three Open Championships....

Round 1: -11

Round 2: -9

Round 3: +6

Round 4: +7

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Hazel Irvine

BBC Sport Presenter

"Round three on a Sunday has been well worth the wait. You might be at work tomorrow, but it wouldn't be for me to suggest that...perhaps you might feel a summer cold coming on?"

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

PA

"It's been an amazing day here today, but I think tomorrow could be a very special day indeed."

Bogey

In the cup. In the clubhouse and probably in stinking moods.

Our last group - Danny Willett and Dustin Johnson - make par and bogey on the last respectively and have fallen from top of the leaderboard to well, not even on it.

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Johnson's four footer for par misses and sums up a day where he was found wanting. Willett was without fireworks while other were carrying rockets.

That's ugly!

Practice swings from Willet as he approaches the green on 18, he needs a three here. From the moment he floats this ball at the green he doesn't like it. His legs buckle in frustration and the way things have been going, a 20 footer with break will not thrill him for birdie.

PA

What for Dustin Johnson, a floated wedge, woefully short and back into Paul Lawrie land, shy of the green. Johnson has been off key today, a stark contrast to what we have seen since Thursday.

Ask Ken

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

Here is another of your questions for Ken...

Stephen: Ken, is your rubber duck still alive? Not seen it for a while!

"He is in the commentary box. He sits next to Peter Alliss. He keeps an eye. He is still around. Fingers crossed we don't have to use it anymore. I couldn't believe how wet it was on Friday. So, he is still alive and I think I will sign it and see if I can sell it for charity."

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

BBC

"Ultimately a disappointing round for Paul Lawrie. He's just missed one or two missed short-ish putts at the wrong time and its broken his momentum."

Bogey

Paul Lawrie is about as happy as the England cricket team right now. His approach into 18 is dripping in back spin and leaves the putting surface. A good putt up the hill affords him a tap in for par. His hopes up in smoke.

Dustin Johnson's battles continue on 17 as his bunker fun leads to this missed putt for par. That's bogey and back to eight under.

BBC

And this is equally as ugly. Danny Willet misses a shorty for par on the same hole. The front four at the start of the day have capitulated by comparison to the standards we have seen elsewhere.

Dustin Johnson

John Inverdale

BBC Radio 5 live presenter

"In the last five majors in the first two rounds Dustin Johnson is 31 under par but in the the next two rounds he is only level par."

Ask Ken

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

Here is another of your questions for Ken...

WillDavidsonGolf: What was the best shot you've seen on the old course?

"That is very easy. It was on the 11th. It was by Seve Ballesteros and in 1977. I was playing with Seve and Jerry Pate. The wind was directly behind at 25mph. There was no way of getting to it. Seve took an 8 iron and teed it three-quarters of an inch in the air and flicked this ball miles up in the air. I thought 'where is this going to land.' It just rolled down the slopes a yard away. Only he could have played that. Certainly only he could have tried it. That is my most memorable one."

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Neil Moss: When Paul Dunne made his 3 wishes, perhaps he should have been more specific than "#1 Be leading up the 18th on Sunday at The Open."

'The ball does what you tell it'

BBC

Irish amateur Paul Dunne, who is joint leader of The Open on 12 under, talking on BBC One: "I wasn't aware about the positions until I got to 10. I didn't know where I was. I tried to play each hole as it was. There is a scoreboard on 10 though and and I saw if I made the putt I would be ahead. It was great it got me excited to make the putt and finish the round off.

"The golf ball just does what you tell it to, it's just there were a lot more cameras and people watching. I felt really comfortable, I had so much support, it felt like I was at home. Hopefully the same tomorrow.

The last few days I haven't had any goals in terms of finishing. I just had a number in my head each day and I will do the same tomorrow. I will put a number in my head and see if I can shoot it."

EPA

Latest leaderboard

Still a few players out on the course and here's where we are at.....

BBC Sport

Double bogey

Paul Lawrie is absolutely fuming. The thoughts going through his head now are angry ones. Very angry ones.

BBC

He loses his tether with a fan on the 17th tee box who takes a picture. "Right in my back swing, thanks," says the Scottish player.

Anyway, moving on he putts so badly it catches a greenside slope and runs away from the cup somewhat. To compound the growing misery, he lips this tiddler out. Double trouble. Two over for the day.

It was that camera that did it.

Birdie

A crowd pleaser from Zach Johnson as he pitches to within a few feet on the 18th, thanks to some major backspin. Should be a birdie for the American and he would go to nine under. Anyone fancy picking a winner?

Adam Scott rolls a birdie putt inches past and ends with a par. The Australian on nine under... as does playing partner Johnson who makes no mistake for birdie.

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The Dustin Johnson backers will cut frustrated figures tonight. His tools are abundant and many thought he would simply dismantle this course as it eased in its difficulty.

The bunker does for him on 17 and a bogey cuts his score to nine under, three back. Still in it though. Can he survive the 17th and bank birdie at the last?

Par

If Jason Day is going to be the overnight leader then he is going to have to share that honour. The Aussie lines up his birdie putt with the left edge, but the ball refuses to curl round into the can. Leaving him making the sort of hand signal that club golfers make rather regularly...

BBC

Day, who has had EIGHT top-10 finishes without winning a Major, taps in the par putt to finish with a splendid, bogey-free, 67.

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"Regarding the prize money if Paul Dunne wins as an amateur. I can tell you that the person who finishes second gets it, and the prize money goes down after that. But he probably wouldn't worry about the prize money if he won The Open! He still gets the claret jug, though."

Get involved - text 81111 (UK users only)

Bob Hampson in Portishead: How does the Open prize money get distributed if an amateur wins?

We've had plenty of texts and tweets with this question. Once again Mark James has the answer...

The day St Andrew's gave some up...

A look at the scoring stats underlines just how big a swing there has been in how this famous Old Course is playing.

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In the third round so far, only four holes are averaging more strokes than their par - holes two, four, 16 and 17.

Compare that to the early rounds where seven holes played above par on day one and ten on day two. Where has the bite gone? St Andrews has its gum shield in.

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Frost*ie: Surely you only need an ounce of romance in your soul to appreciate an amateur leading The Open going into the final round!

Can Dunne win?

One of my colleagues has just said "I love a bit of romance in Sport but Dunne is not going to win it"... We may be reminding him of that in 24 hours time.

He can win it can't he?

A birdie on the last would see Jason Day - that perennial Major challenger - looking good to start tomorrow as the overnight leader. A decent tee shot just short of the Valley of Sin is followed by an exquisite approach which spins back to within eight feet of a birdie.

Hazel Irvine

BBC Sport Presenter

Paul Dunne

"It's been extraordinary play from Paul Dunne today. The second lowest round by an amateur in the history of The Open, the lowest ever round by an amateur at St Andrews, the first time an amateur has hit three rounds in the 60s - the list goes on. And could this 22-year-old from Ireland even start to think about becoming the first amateur to win this great championships since Bobby Jones at Royal Liverpool in 1930? Please, nobody pinch him."

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

"A lovely round by Paul Dunne. Just go to do it all again tomorrow. The occasion can get to you, the television, the pressure, the interest in you and the majesty of the place."

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Paul Dunne is even the talk among the professionals...

Birdie

BBC

Plenty of red squares are marked on the scorecard of Louis Oosthuizen - including one on the 18th. Simple finish from a few inches for the South African, who matches his opening 67 with another five-under round. Oosthuizen and his playing partner Dunne are the current clubhouse leaders.

The 2010 Open champion at St Andrews in great shape for Monday's finale.

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Paul Dunne is over his ball on the final green. He hits it firmly but has not got the line at all and leaves himself a horrible tester for par.

The Irishman's caddie said to the BBC's Maureen Madill 'it's just another round of golf' on the way up the 18th... Dunne obviously agrees as he keeps his nerve and saves par. Cap aloft, he applauds the crowd and is in as the joint clubhouse leader. An amateur is in the mix to win The Open.

How will he sleep this evening?

Birdie

It has taken 15 holes but Dustin Johnson registers birdie and in some style indeed. From off the putting surface it is delightful, up a slope and tantalises the galleries as it clings to the cup edge before disappearing.

Birdie

While Dustin Johnson struggles to make light work of the favourable conditions, his namesake Zach has finally climbed aboard the birdie train. The 2007 Masters champion sinks another one at 16 - after grabbing his opening one of the day on 14 - to plod within a few shots of the lead.

AP

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"If you're wondering what happens if the two best amateurs finished tied at the end of the tournament, I can tell you that they both receive a silver medal."

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David in Barrow: If two players tie for best amateur do they get a silver medal each? Or is it decided on the best last round? Or maybe there is a play off?

A few people have texted in this question, fortunately Mark James has the answer...

BBC

Paul Dunne strolls down the last like he is out for a Sunday afternoon walk. He raises his arm aloft, doffs his cap to the crowd and then takes a big breath before lining up his second shot from the fairway. The Irish amateur knows one solid shot and he will be going in as The Open clubhouse leader... And he will love that. The perfect wedge to within 20 feet. Another birdie chance.

Andrew Cotter

BBC Sport commentator

"Dustin Johnson's round is inexplicable - he's played 14 holes and no birdies. Sometimes it just happens. Although he's only a few shots behind and has a few holes to claw himself back before tomorrow."

Jordan Spieth

"I'm very pleased to be more than half way there and so close to the top. I don't know what weather we'll get tomorrow, but maybe -4 or -5 tomorrow might be enough.

I'll avoid thinking about winning three in a row and I'm just happy that I'm playing so well. I struck the ball really well and if I'm within one or two of the lead, then I think I've got a really strong chance."

Par

Ooof! You lucky boy, Jason Day. The co-leader's heart skips a beat as he watches a tiddly three-foot par putt race around the lip before disappearing down the can.

The Aussie flashes a long, hard stare at the hole, before breaking into a relieved smile. He stays top of the pile...

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Sullivan eagle

BBC Sport

There is plenty of movement taking place on moving day. You can watch Andy Sullivan's eagle at the 14th from earlier here.

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

"People think golf is a dull old game - it is what you make it. A bit like life."

So close to his seventh birdie of the day... Who said the 17th was tough? Not Paul Dunne. Perfect tee shot, lovely approach, a well-hit 20-foot putt and a tap in for par. On he goes to the last as the amateur remains the joint leader of The Open.

BBC coverage

Watch Padraig Harrington's best shots from his third round at St Andrews, including a monster putt on the 16th, here

The Irishman, bidding for a third Open title, finished the day 10 under par putting himself in contention ahead of the final day.

Bogey

This for par for Danny Willett. Nasty eh...

BBC

His out of bounds tee shot has piled the pressure on...

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He almost hits the jackpot. This putt for a bogey six and to only lose one stroke on the leaders Jason Day and Paul Dunne.

Dogged stuff from Willett. In it goes.

Dunne 'living the dream'

Feeling a bit under the weather?!

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Amateur Paul Dunne hammers his drive down the 17th and then sends a four-iron from 219 yards to about 20 feet of the flag. What composure, particularly with that cavernous bunker five yards to the left of the pin.

On top of the three players mentioned above, fellow amateur Ashley Chesters also hit a 67 earlier today. The Irishman though will set the record for an amateur third round at The Open if he avoids a bogey on the last two holes...

The best Open round by an amateur ever was Tom Lewis's 65 in 2011.

Bogey

Padraig Harrington and Adam Scott have a bit of breathing space on 10 under. That's because Retief Goosen drops a shot on the Road Hole, slipping his par putt along the left edge.

BBC

Ouch!

What's that song you'd sing back in the school days... "heads, shoulders knees and toes."

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Louis Oosthuizen does a rendition of the dance as I recall it. The 16th green at St Andrew's has him loose and ready to boogie but it's a dance of frustration as a birdie putt rolls past.

Day takes a share of the lead

We have a share of the lead as Jason Day makes no mistake from four feet for birdie on the 15th. All the work was done with his sublime approach.

Out of bounds!

Tee it, smash it, pick the tee up, walk.

Steady on son. Back you come - that ball is gone!

BBC

Danny Willett looks perplexed. Like a snooker player already walking to the next shot he was in full flow but a huge push out of bounds from the tee box on the 14th has left his round in potential disarray.

He hits a second and will now be striking his fourth to the par five from the middle of the fairway.

"That went sideways at the end," he tells his caddie in a thick northern accent as they debate the first ball.

Safe and sound from the outright leader Paul Dunne on the 16th. After an iron off the tee onto the fairway, he lands his second into the centre of the big green. Leaves a long putt for birdie.

Remember Dunne is an amateur... If this continues, there will one day be a film made about the Irishman.

Jason Day sends one skywards on his approach to the 15th.... He stands still, watching the ball closely as it arrows towards the pin. One bounce and it comes to a halt four feet from the pin. A chance to join Paul Dunne at the top.

Bogey

What an incredible moment for Paul Dunne and all connected with him - he leads The Open outright as Danny Willett's par putt on the 13th misses left.

The leaderboard was topped by Johnson and Willett at the start of play. Willett is in there, Johnson has disappeared on a day where players have simply steamed through the field.

Birdie

If anyone in this tight field knows what it takes to win the Open at St Andrews, it is Louis Oosthuizen. Back-to-back birdies for the 2010 champion, who trundles in a beauty on the par-four 15th. No mean feat from the South African on a hole which has gifted few birdies to the players today. Just the 13 in fact.

Ask Ken

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

Here is another of your questions for Ken...

Martin Leitch: Great commentary Ken, with superb knowledge of the game, would you not consider becoming coach???

"There were a few times. I've given Tom Lewis a bit of help over the years with his putting. And at different times Darren [Clarke] and Lee {Westwood]. Just little tips here and there as a friend when they've asked me. If you are going to be a coach you've got to be committed to it and with all the other bits and pieces I don't have the time to be a committed coach. It is very rewarding when you see someone putt well after you've given them a bit of inspiration."

Birdie

Paul Dunne's second on 15 and it just about dribbles onto the edge of the green, leaving him a tricky eight-footer for birdie. Very solid golf from the amateur though as he remains one behind outright leader Danny Willett. He nails the putt and moves level at the top. Stunning.

BBC

Mixed fortunes for Charl Schwartzel and Justin Rose on the last. Schwartzel grimaces as he three-putts up the slope to walk off to the scorer's hut with a bogey. Three bogeys in the last six holes for the South African, who cards a what-might-have-been 69.

Better news for Rose though. The Englishman converting his birdie chance to swap place on the leaderboard with his playing partner. He turns to the galleries and clenches his fist in celebration. I think he's happy....

BBC

Get Involved

Swindon's David Howell finished one over the day and is two under for the championship...

Bogey

Paul Lawrie has invented a new game which involves striking the ball with the back of the club face in the opposite direction.

BBC

I jest. The Scot did not like his approach into 12 and took an angry second swipe in reverse. It's not been a bad day for the 1999 winner - he is level through 12 - it's just not all that explosive compared to elsewhere.

His playing partner Marc Warren at a stroke under on the day has fallen 11 places on the leaderboard. That sums it up. Score or suffer.

The St Andrews clubhouse is in sight for the Major-winning pairing of Charl Schwartzel and Justin Rose. The Englishman knocks a delightful chip past the last hole, adding a bit of backspin to leave what should be a closing birdie. Even the seagulls hovering above squawk their appreciation. Schwartzel next, from a similar position, he undercooks his effort and his ball struggles to cling onto the front slope....dropping down back into the Valley of Sin.

Ask Ken

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

We asked you for your questions for Ken Brown and you have duly delivered. Thankfully so has he, and we will be dropping some of these in over the remainder of today's coverage, starting with this...

Joe Weston: What is your favourite hole and why?

"Probably number 12. The shortest par four with three echelons of bunkers. When you stand on the tee, particularly if the wind is in your face, you have a real decision to make. The interesting thing about the hole is the putting surface. It's got a level, then goes up a little tier and then there is a ledge that is about top eight or nine yards wide which you drift the other side. Wherever you are it makes for an awkward little pitch. I think it is fascinating and varies so much in the wind."

Birdie

Louis Oosthuizen back in the groove. Right to left birdie putt on 14 and the shouts from the crowd tell you he has made it. The Open winner in 2010, the last time St Andrews hosted the championship, is just two off the lead.

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Tim Yorke: Hopefully Dunne and Spieth will dress differently if in final group together tomorrow. Same wardrobe.

Paolo Brand: Wow Paul Dunne is some player. Hopefully we have another Rory here on our hands!

Andy Stevenson: Anyone who criticises or doesn't appreciate Peter Alliss needs to get their soul checked.

Paul Dunne drifts left on the par-five 14th - he's in the thick stuff. No bother. The Irish amateur comes up with a textbook shot, chopping down with stiff arms, cutting the ball out and up onto the green. Fifteen foot to sink another birdie putt...

Up the hill he goes...plenty of length, but does it have the line? Not quite. It drifts left, an easy tap in for the par.

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Andy Stevenson: Anyone who criticises or doesn't appreciate Peter Alliss needs to get their soul checked.

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

BBC

"There is nothing quite like a beautiful bird coming towards you."

BBC

Sublime wedge from Sergio Garcia as he leaves himself four foot for birdie on the last... Off radar though and he has to settle for par.

Not so good for Jordan Spieth as his approach lands short on the green and rolls slowly down the slope... solid recovery though as his putt for birdie rolls stone dead. Par finish and ends on six under for the day. He is right in the mix.

Birdie

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Jason Day moves to four under for the day with a simple four-footer for birdie on 13. He joins Paul Dunne and Jordan Spieth on 11 under, one behind leader Danny Willett.

Birdie

What does the outright lead in The Open look like?

BBC

This.

Just three bogeys in 46 holes underline how solid Danny Willett had been. His latest putt is right on line and bingo. Full house.

Bogey

Australia's Steve Bowditch is going down under - two consecutive bogeys see him slip back to eight under. He is leapfrogged by Charl Schwartzel, who makes his seventh birdie of the afternoon on the 16th. Unfortunately three bogeys mean he is still three off the pace...

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Sergio Garcia is getting a little carried away in all the excitement - he isn't the only one - as he tees up first on 18. He needs a little reminder from playing partner Jordan Spieth it isn't his honour. Both safe off the tee, although Spieth looked anxious as he hugged the right of the fairway.

Birdie

Back to nine under for one of the local hopes. With experience comes resilience and patience. After four pars in a row Paul Lawrie reaches 11 and sweeps in a 15 footer for birdie.

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Lawrie's best finish at The Open since winning it at Carnoustie in 1999 is tied 26th in 2013.

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Lee Richardson: Weather conditions aside, this is proving to be one of the best Open's for a while. Some great scoring today! Anyone can win this!

Chris Collins: Some cracking golf going on today at St Andrews. You should be proud of the coverage.

Greg: A fantastic afternoon, Davis Cup and The Open in full flow. What more to ask for!! Super Sunday.

BBC

Joint leader Jordan Spieth is well, well short with his approach on the 17th. From off the green, about 50 feet from the flag, he pulls the putter from his bag and... puts too much gas on it as the ball finishes six feet away. Tough one for par... but nerves of steel as he rams the ball into the middle and on he goes. One hole left.

Sergio Garcia with a par as well and the pair fist pump on the way off the green...

Get Involved

A very quick downhill putt from about six feet for joint leader Paul Dunne on 13. Well judged and a tap in for par. He is in dream world... Adam Scott birdies 11 and the Australian is now up to nine under.

Birdie

The birdie bonanza can sometimes blight your thought process. And why does one necessarily have to join in? Sometimes the champion waits patiently for his time and pounces. Danny Willett has a tonne of pars on his card, a single birdie and now surely a second of the day on the ninth.

BBC

A majestic approach leaves a roll in. He obliges. 11 under. Co-leader.

Birdie

Two more hopefuls chalk up another birdie to move within touching distance of the lead. Retief Goosen sinks his effort on 13, with Jason Day following suit on 11.

Everywhere you look on the Old Course something is happening. Jordan Spieth maintains the current status quo with a tap in for a par on the 16th, before Retief Goosen, two shots behind the American and Irish amateur Paul Dunne, plants a glorious second shot within a ruler's length of the par-four 13th.

BBC

Only seven players are level or worse off on the day than overnight leader Dustin Johnson.

The 31-year-old is only one over for his round, which perhaps underlines the quality we are seeing. Another par on eight leaves Johnson on nine under.

He looks a little wound up. A shake of the head, a grimace and a few words with the man on his bag. His consistency yet lack of silverware in majors must be nagging on his mind somewhat.

Vote results

Our vote asking who you thought will be top come the end of the third round closed a few minutes ago and overnight leader Dustin Johnson came out as your winner with 33.5%. You can see the vote results on this page.

Birdie

Amateur hour? Yes it is - and that is no insult. American amateur Jordan Niebrugge is hot on the heels of his Irish counterpart Paul Dunne, nailing a birdie putt on the last to finish with a five-under 67. The 21-year-old is two shots off the lead on his Open debut.

Leaderboard

BBC Sport

BBC

Clubhouse leader Padraig Harrington talking to BBC One: "It is always nice to shoot a 65. To get into contention is a big deal. It is an interesting golf course. You have to be there or thereabouts because the leaders are not going to come back to you on the final round. Even if 14s are leading at the end of the day, it is not too much to ask. It is a big day.

"It is fantastic to see an amateur at the top. Nice guy and lets hope he keeps going. If it is not me let's hope it is him..."

Feeling tense just watching this? Imagine playing in it. Charl Schwartzel and Steve Bowditch are both overcome by the putting jitters, each dropping vital shots on the back nine. The South African whistles a birdie putt well past the 14th hole, unable to find the target on the way back either. And it is even worse for Bowditch, who misses the tiddliest of par putts that even a high-handicapper golfer would be furious about missing.

BBC

He is human... Paul Dunne's birdie attempt kisses the edge of the hole but stays up. He has to settle for a par.

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"It's not been a great day for Dustin Johnson so far. He's one of only 10 that made the cut who are over par today."

Paul Dunne deep in the rough on 12... Is this the start of the decline for the amateur? Not at all... a beautiful iron out of trouble and to within about five feet of the pin. Nerves? You are having a laugh.

AP

Dunne is clear in the race for the silver medal between the amateurs but, not only that, he is joint leader of The Open overall.

Bogey

Dustin Johnson is, dare I say it, beginning to look very, very vulnerable.

BBC

After a fluffed chip from the rough he takes his anger out on the ball to rush it 20 feet past. This for par then, the cup in the top left of the image.... whizzes away - no prize. Back to nine under. The American needs to weather the storm to stay in the fold.

If you're just joining us...

• Paul Dunne, a 22-year-old amateur, co-leads The Open and is five under through 11 holes
• Jordan Spieth shares the lead, reaching hole 16 at six under for the day
• Prolific scoring on show across The Old Course
• Only five players in tournament's top 60 who are not under par today
• Padraig Harrington clubhouse leader on 10 under after a 65

Birdie

A few whoops around the 15th as Jordan Spieth lands his second to within a few feet of the pin. Should be a birdie and a share of the lead with Paul Dunne. Don't forget Spieth is bidding to become just player to win the first three majors of the year... He makes it. A share of the lead.

Sergio Garcia continues on his way as well with a birdie on the same hole.

Andrew Cotter

BBC Sport commentator

"He just looked up at the leaderboard after missing that birdie at the last, but if I bet if you offered Padraig Harrington a 65 before he went out he'd have bitten your hand off. He'll be out late tomorrow, and in the mix, and that's what matters."

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Stavros Makrozachopo: Right now, the Open is so intense, it's like watching penalties in a World Cup.

Padraig Harrington grins and doff his cap to the St Andrews galleries. A sterling day's work for the Irishman, who wraps up a 65 with a par on the last. The two-time Open champion did miss a simple(ish) birdie attempt for the 64 - the lowest third-round score so far - but he looks happy enough with his efforts. Rightly so.

No sign of Paul Dunne stalling as he leaves a 10-footer just inches short on 11. A par for the Irishman as he marches on... Louis Oosthuizen climbs to 10 under with a swinging putt on 11. This is shaping up to be a barnstormer...

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"Can he do it? Yes he can! Paul Dunne, an amateur, leads the open after 46 holes."

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The GolfFather: Amateur Hour at the Open!

Mark Cullagh: Paul Dunne outright lead. Padraig 2nd. What a performance by both so far. Great to see. Keep it up.

James Bamford: An amateur leads #TheOpen wonderful stuff, inspiring us mere mortals!

Amateur champion?

PA

The last amateur to win The Open was Bobby Jones in 1930, one of three amateur champions - are we about to see a fourth? A long way to go yet but amateur Paul Dunne is leading.

A slight shake of the head from Danny Willett as he trudges away from six with par. His lengthy birdie putt just missed left of the cup. He will look at the leaderboard and wonder just what is going on. Challenge is coming from every possible angle.

Dustin Johnson for birdie and 11 under... slides on past.

Irish amateur leads The Open

BBC

Is this really happening? Irish amateur Paul Dunne sinks yet another birdie putt, this time on 10, and he is in the lead on his own. Yes, an amateur is leading the Open midway through the third round.

Leaderboard

BBC Sport

Bogey

Momentum is a cruel mistress, she can turn on a dime with the smallest mistake.

Paul Lawrie makes bogey, lipping out a putt from four to five feet on six. He needs a bit of the magic dust those peppering birdies around him are lapping up.

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Lee Richardson: It's so good to see Padraig Harrington back on form at #TheOpen. Long over due! Hope he can hang onto this form going into tomorrow!

Adam Plom: This is as good as a Major Championship gets. Heart says Harrington, wallet says Speith.

Wonderful stuff from Padraig Harrington. The Irishman, bidding for a third Open title, pulls his tee shot left on the 17th - but makes amends by raking an inch-perfect second to the back of the green. A long putt for a birdie - but a putt for birdie nevertheless....

Ben Dirs

BBC Sport at St Andrews

"As I write, 14 players are within one shot of each other atop the leaderboard, including plenty of marquee names, a few old favourites, young thrusters, a couple of amateurs and a couple of dark horses. As it stands, this tournament could be won by 40-odd players, maybe more. Those suggesting this year's 144th staging of The Open was shaping up to be a dud are looking a little bit foolish now. Golf isn't all crash, bang, wallop and explosions, it's a long read, with all its subtle nuances and twists in the narrative."

Ben Dirs

BBC Sport at St Andrews

"For those who have spotted that American amateur Jordan Niebrugge is one off the lead and wondering when was the last time a non-pro triumphed in The Open... the great Bobby Jones was the most recent, in 1930. Fellow American Frank Stranahan finished second in 1947 and 1953 (he was also runner-up at the 1947 Masters) while the last amateur to finish in the top five was England's Chris Wood, at Royal Birkdale in 2008."

Andrew Cotter

BBC Sport commentator

"The amateur is right up among there among the leaders in The Open. How about that for a front nine for Paul Dunne?"

Six at the top

And still they come... Irish amateur Paul Dunne makes his fourth birdie of the day on nine, after an approach that was almost stone dead, and joins five others in the lead. Overnight leader Dustin Johnson is yet to join the birdie party.

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Alex MacDonald in Edinburgh: We might be in line for a 17 player play-off after tomorrow the way things are going.

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Stephen: Breaking News #TheOpen2015 goes on to Tuesday, in a play-off...with 40 Players!

Birdie fest

The Old Course is seeing more birdies than your local RSPB nature reserve. So far today we have seen 310 birdies at St Andrews - that compares to 554 in the opening round and 495 in the second. That's with the field cut down to 80 players from 156 remember - and we still have plenty of holes left to play. Remarkable scenes...

That's incredible!

BBC

Mamma mia, what a putt. Padraig Harrington makes it a five-way tie at the top of the leaderboard with an absolute monster putt on the 16th. He is about 45 feet away and putting uphill but, never in doubt, as it goes down and moves him to seven under for the day. Can the two-time Open winner make it three?

Birdie

The par five is where you bet your house and pets on Dustin Johnson making birdie. He will of course devour yardage with his huge strikes.

BBC

Not today he won't. A wide tee shot, a wide recovery, a loose chip, a long putt and a tap in gives only par. DJ not yet spinning his beat.

His playing partner Danny Willett will make eagle will he... ohhhh. Look at that, it hangs on. Birdie only. 10 under.

BBC

Birdie

Charl Schwartzel grits his teeth and bears his gnashers after sinking his putt on 12. Par? Bogey? Nah - a birdie to move him into a share of the lead. Cheer up buddy...

That's four birdies around the turn for the South African. And remember he stuck his opening tee shot into the drink...

Bogey

A shot gone for Louis Oosthuizen as he pushes a three-footer past on the eighth for his first bogey of the day. His position as joint leader doesn't last long.

Mark James

Former Ryder Cup captain on BBC TV

"Birdies are coming thick and fast from everywhere...except from Danny Williett and Dustin Johnson at the moment."

BBC

The top four when play started we thought could go away from this field but instead, they look more and more like fish with a net closing around them.

Paul Lawrie misses a birdie putt on five, Marc Warren must work for par there, Dustin Johnson has just gone from rough into more rough on the fifth and what about Danny Willett? That is much better, sets up a long eagle putt on the same hole.

Birdie

Australia's Steven Bowditch is off the green on ninth, but grabs his putter out of his bag anyway. Up the ridge, decent pace, he waves his stick in the air...it's good! Bowditch's fourth birdie of the day moves him into that ever-growing pack on nine under...

That's 20 players now within two shots of each other at the top of the leaderboard...

Birdie bonanza

Ben Dirs

BBC Sport at St Andrews

Just bumped into Eddie Pepperell after his 66. Oxfordshire's finest hesitated when I asked if he was happy, which tells you everything you need to know: he was still ruing that double-bogey on 17, he knows a 66 could be a common or garden score today.

Birdie

Who says three is a crowd? Not Louis Oosthuizen. The last man to win the Open at St Andrews moves alongside Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson by dropping a birdie into the seventh can.

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Scott Ross: This Open is shaping up to be a classic!

Getty Images

Paul Lawrie is an Aberdeen supporter you know.

BBC

Could he parade the Claret Jug at Pittodrie? If he is to, he will certainly need to not find himself adopting this stance all too often. Hacks it out with some guts on it. It looks and sounds horrid but on a par five, he will have a shot from the rough into the dance floor.

Birdie

BBC

Step forward Jordan Spieth. The man from Texas holes a birdie on 12 for his third in a row. Ominous signs, very ominous... He is level with Dustin Johnson.

Birdie

Adam Scott hunches over his ball on the fifth green, using that pivoted putting stroke to great effect. The tall Aussie sinks a seven-foot putt on the par five to move within two strokes of the lead.

Birdie

Oh yes.... Amateur Paul Dunne is getting among this birdie bonanza with his third of the day on seven. And what a birdie that is as he putts up the slope from off the green and into the middle. One shot behind the leader.

We have a new joint leader though...

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Jimmy Lennox in Dumfriesshire: Heard the commentators mention that nine amateurs made the cut at St Andrews in 1960 and among them was a Dr Deighton the then Scottish amateur champion who my dad, the late Noel Lennox, was caddying for. When I heard you mention it, it brought a lump to my throat so many thanks. My father told many stories of his experience as it was Arnold Palmer's first Open.

Par

BBC Sport

There are now 25 men within three shots of leader Dustin Johnson. This is becoming a pile up of epic proportions.

Time for someone to get going and make it their own. Danny Willett grips his club lower than normal, it's just a short wedge into the green and it's a corker. I'd say around four feet, though sloping, for birdie. You've got to make them Danny... he doesn't.

Padraig Harrington stays in that nine-under cluster for the time being, the Irishman unable to break free after steering a birdie chance wide on 14.

Chesters in mix for silver medal

Ashley Chesters spoke to BBC Radio Shropshire after his five-under 67, which contained four birdies, an eagle and just one bogey, at 17.

"Finishing with a birdie always cheers you up, however you play. It tried to go out the other side, but thankfully it dropped in and it made up for the bogey on 17.

"The weather was a lot better and we got lucky with the rain as, when the worst of it came over, we were stuck on the 14th tee and missed it. I've just to go do as well as I can tomorrow and see what happens."

Maureen Madill

BBC TV on-the-course commentator

"There's an incredible atmosphere out on the course for home favourites Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren. The Scottish crowd are willing everything in."

Birdie

They are behind you Dustin... Robert Streb with a big putt for birdie on five and he makes it... Jordan Spieth joins Streb as one of eight players one behind Johnson on nine under. Back-to-back birdies for the double-major winner. Here he comes....

#kenonthecourse

We will be holding a Q&A with BBC commentator Ken Brown at 16:15 BST and posting the best answers on this page from around 17:30. Send in your questions via #kenonthecourse and we will ask him some of the best.

Ken Brown

BBC Sport commentator

"When he struck his tee shot he'd have been delighted to make a four."

That is what Marc Warren gets on four. A lucky touch as his tee shot, though very right, stopped short of a bush. Paul Lawrie converts from three feet for par too.

Birdie

Retief Goosen is muscling in on the leaders. The South African, a two-time US Open winner in the early 2000s, follows up his eagle on the fifth with a birdie on the next. He joins a group of six men now on nine under...

Birdie

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Another birdie for Sergio Garcia on 10 - his fourth of the day - and the crowd love it. Sergio eggs them on... momentum is building as he moves to eight under... Anything you can do, I can do better says Jordan Spieth as he nails his own putt for birdie... Both up to eight under.

Three holes, three pars apiece for our last group.

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The stats tell us who should theoretically have the upper hand. Dustin Johnson has the power to damage this golf course if his momentum builds. Danny Willett, with his rapid swing is not giving much up though.

Both find the fairway on the fourth with Johnson's tee shot probably breaking the speed of sound. Wow.

Padraig Harrington thrashes one out of the rough on 13 - the huge cheers from the gallery tell the Irishman that he has another sniff of a birdie...

And talking of birdies, England's Anthony Wall drops in another one. Wall might look like a Butlins employee with that bright red jumper he is wearing - but he is having plenty of fun on the Old Course.

Birdie

A big move in the battle for the silver medal between the amateurs. Birdies on 11 and 12 for Jordan Niebrugge as he joins Ireland's Paul Dunne at the top of that particular contest.

That's ugly!

FORE RIGHT!!

BBC

Not what Marc Warren ordered on four. His ball bounces into the pathways where fans congregate but it does not look to be sitting too badly. Potentially a lucky break.

The lead group of Dustin Johnson and Danny Willett are so far birdie free but both have long putts for a three on the par-four third.

Bogey

A shake of the head from Sergio Garcia on nine as, after a tee-shot onto the green, he pushes his birdie attempt past from eight feet... Real misery for playing partner Jordan Spieth as he blows a par putt from a couple of feet. First bogey of the day for the American.

Birdie

Feel the roar. Paul Lawrie is at nine under and his confidence continues to radiate. Perfect strike with the short stick. Get underground ball.

BBC

Eagle

Goooooose! Retief Goosen sneaked in the back door of the Open Championship, qualifying at the last opportunity at Woburn. But the broad South African seems determined to make the most of his invitation to the glitziest golf party in Europe. He gives a 40-foot plus eagle putt a good thump across the fifth green, the ball threatening to slow down before a couple of lethargic late rolls see it disappear into the cup. The second eagle of the day on the 570-yard par five.

Peter Alliss

BBC Sport commentator

"Two very different walks from these two men. Danny Willetts is a bouncer, Dustin Johnson more of a stroller, or a loper. I used to collect walks - the best walker ever was Sean Connery. Jack Nicklaus was short little quick steps. Someone like Padraig Harrington looks like he's just been out at sea and to come to shore."

Birdie

BBC

Padraig Harrington is rolling back the years. The two-time Open winner is up to six under for the day after a birdie on 12. Just a shot behind the leader for the 43-year-old in a three-way tie for second...

Dustin Johnson's effort from the fairway on two is effortless. He lifts the ball with the delicacy of an artist perfecting a masterpiece and leaves a super birdie chance for 11 under. If his putter gets hot today he could paint his own leaderboard with a big gap at the top.

BBC

Here it comes, it looks like a right-to-left effort from around 12 feet... crisp strike... nice roll... wide. Close but wide.

Another day's work is done for Phil Mickelson. Old Leftie dinks in a delicate chip from the edge of the 18th green, tapping in the birdie putt for a two-under 70. Not enough to challenge for his second Open title tomorrow.