Open Championship 2013 blog: wide open

Golf Monthly Staff Writer Nick Bonfield gives his latest Open Championship blog installment from Muirfield

Open Championship 2013: Saturday pictures
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Open Championship blog: wide Open

The general consensus in the media, amongst golf fans and with the bookmakers is that one of Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood or Adam Scott will take home the Claret Jug this evening.

Yes, these three players all have great chances. They all have different points to prove and will set about their respective tasks with unabridged focus and sheer determination to succeed. But, in my view, this tournament is still wide open - a product of a number of factors.

Firstly, the leaders will all be under enormous pressure. Don't underestimate how difficult it will be for Tiger Woods to get over the line after a five-year major hiatus. If you think it'll be hard for him, imagine what Lee Westwood - an aging major-less Englishman in an era of great British sporting success - is going through in the lead up to the final round.

Secondly, the conditions seem to be more conducive to good scoring. There is a limited amount of wind and the overcast conditions should prevent the course from firming up as much as it has done in previous days. Jason Dufner has already recorded a four-under-par 67 - better than anything yesterday - and as I write, numerous players are under par out on the course.

Thirdly, the number of talented players lurking just a few shots back is daunting. Sergio Garcia played some fine golf yesterday and he'll be desperate to break his major duck. He's certainly well capable of firing a final-round 67 or 68. The same can be said for Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker, who are also just six back on three over.

It'll require something special, without doubt, but they certainly aren't out of it. Given what's at stake, I think anyone who can complete 72 holes in level par will have a chance.

All that's left to do now is wait.    

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x