John Senden knows he’s too far back to win, but he’s far from finished his Open mission.
The big Queenslander used the “best putting I’ve ever had at St Andrews” to fire a quality four-under-par 68 in one of the third round’s early groups.
And between giving English playing partner Lee Westwood a few well-placed barbs about the second Test at Lord’s, his four under total capped a great day.
“Yep, I feel pretty good about that one,” said Senden, who will start later tomorrow after surging into a tie for 33rd when his round finished.
“After just doing my best to make the cut (on Saturday), I’m pretty happy to be sliding up the board a little.
“I’d have to have the round of my life tomorrow to get anywhere near contention, but I’m going to go out and have a crack at it, that’s for sure.”
Senden started with a birdie, but soon hit black numbers again after bogeys on the second and fourth holes.
“But after that I played some pretty good golf, as I have been for a while, but the putter started to work and it just shows what you can do around here if you believe in yourself.”
Senden’s round was capped by a great birdie on the 18th from long range, giving him that extra closing spur for the second Mondayfinish in Open history.
“I’m just looking forward to going out there and posting another number tomorrow … I probably can’t win, but I’d like to get into the top 10, maybe top five if I get it going.
“It’s out there.”
Meanwhile, Sydney’s Scott Arnold endured a slightly tougher day with a one-over par 73 to finish +1 overall.
In the first group out and playing alongside red-hot 2001 champ David Duval (67), Arnold simply couldn’t find the momentum he carried through his final holes on Saturday to make the cut.
He made only two bogeys in his round, but a lone birdie on the 10th was all his lukewarm putter would allow.