Sergio Garcia launched a spectacular charge to move into contention for The 135th Open Championship. Buoyed after holing his approach shot for an eagle two at the second hole at Royal Liverpool, the Spaniard raced to the turn in 29 strokes.
Eight pars followed before he birdied the last for a course record-equalling 65 to set the clubhouse target of 12 under par.
“As soon as I hit it, it looked really good,” said Garcia of the 167 yard nine iron he holed on the second. “I thought it was going to be close but it is always nice when you see it go in like that.
“Hopefully I can go out and put a good number on the board tomorrow and give myself a chance. We love being in this position. Today was a thrill with all the cheers around the course.”
Playing partner Jim Furyk was in fine form too, picking up four strokes in the opening nine holes to surge to nine-under par before picking up two more strokes coming home for a 66 to lie at 11 under par. The highlight for the American was a 30 foot putt he rolled in for a birdie at the seventh.
He was joined on that mark moments later by Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, who moved to 11 under par with an eagle on the 16th on his way to a 66. The last time The Open was held at Royal Liverpool it was, of course, won by another Argentine in Roberto de Vicenzo and Cabrera’s charge gives him every chance of following suit.
Woods parred the first hole but dropped a shot at the second to slip back to 11 under but with fifth, sixth and 11th holes, with one other bogey at the seventh, Woods remained one stroke clear of the field coming down the closing stretch.
Els was also on 11 under after mixing two birdies with two bogeys on the front nine While American Chris DiMarco moved to 11 under par with three quick fire birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th.
The championship burst into life with several stunning strokes all around the course.
The shot of the day, however, came from John Senden. The Australian, winner of last week's John Deere Classic in Illinois, recorded the second hole-in-one of the week when he aced the 198 yard, par three 13th with a six iron on his way to a one over 73.
"That was exciting and will certainly jog my memory when I'm thinking about this place," said Senden after finishing at level par 216.
"I didn't see it go in as there was a hill just short of the green. All I could see was the top half of the flag.
South African Richard Sterne produced the first ace of the tournament at the par three 15th on Friday.
