Garcia leads in Open

Spain's Sergio Garcia has a three shot lead going into the final round of the Open at Carnoustie.

Europe's long wait for a major winner could come to an end tomorrow as the Spaniard is just 18 holes away from a win.

American Steve Stricker's his closest challenger, while England's Justin Rose is eight shots back on one under par.

Stricker was the player to post a marvellous seven under par 64, one off the lowest round in any major, but he did it from seven strokes back at halfway.

And Garcia was in no mood to lose the grip he had established with his opening 65 on Thursday.

His attempt to become the first European to win a major since Paul Lawrie on the same course in 1999 continued with a three under 68 and so Garcia goes into the last day nine under and three ahead of Stricker.

Woods, who came with high hopes of becoming the first player since Peter Thomson in 1956 to record a hat-trick of Claret Jugs, is eight adrift and "only" joint 15th after a 69.

Considering he has not had to come from even one behind on the final day for any of his 12 majors it looks a task beyond even the world number one.

Garcia, relieved that the predicted bad weather did not arrive until right at the end, said: "It's been a wonderful experience and I hope I can play well enough to finish the winner tomorrow."

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