Bill Elliott: Could it be Dunne?

Bill Elliott gives his thoughts on the young Irishman's chances tomorrow and on who might emerge from the pack to claim victory?

Framed by stands, roads and the lushest, most precious grass in the game, Paul Dunne walked towards whatever his destiny will now bring him.

Irish, 22 years old and, crucially, still an amateur, he will be in the last group out now, his name forever etched at the top of the third round leaderboard, his 12 under par total shredding the previous best by a non-earner at this stage, Dunne is pulling off phenomenal stuff at St Andrews.

Will he win tomorrow? Maybe but probably not. There is simply too much class and experience on that leaderboard, too many players who know how to do these things, one of them, Louis Oosthuizen, set to partner Dunne as this beleaguered Open heads towards a spectacular climax.

The weather, we need to know the weather so here it is...sunny spells and a light breeze in the morning but heavy rain showers plus a proper wind in the afternoon. If someone posts a daft score by lunchtime anything is possible.

If I had to bet on anything now it would be that this Championship will have to be settled by a play-off. Involving three men, Oosthuizen, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson.

The South African, of course, is the defending Old Course champ, Johnson had as fiddly, frustrating a round today as was possible but he has got this annoyance out of the way and will be going for everything now.

There are others, of course there are, even the hyper Danny Willett is still in there while Padraig Harrington has wound himself back to when he was good enough to win two of these beauties. Justin Rose is there while the annual joust by Sergio Garcia on the title he most covets is hanging around menacingly.

So let's cut to the chase here -- who is going to win? Pin me against a wall, threaten me with violence and the name you will force from my lips is ( roll of drums ) Jordan Spieth.

One shot behind the leaders but this year's two majors ahead of everyone, the Texan - still younger than Dunne, remember - is shaking hands with history this year and I see no reason why he should not seal the third part of the outrageous deal here.

At present his play is beyond reproach, his manner beyond merely impressive. At the end of his press conference - a chat played out with intelligence and style as usual - Spieth looked at us and said: "'I'm not here to play for a place. Third doesn't interest me, I'm here to win."

As a declaration of intent as well as a show of strength this will do for me. Relax, sit back and enjoy, we are about to see history made.