Watson gives up British Open lead, still in running to become oldest major champion

Watson gives up lead at British Open

TURNBERRY, Scotland — Tom Watson has surrendered the lead at the British Open with three bogeys in a seven-hole stretch at blustery Turnberry.

PGA Tour journeyman Mathew Goggin of Australia claimed the clubhouse lead on Saturday with a 1-under 69 for a 3-under 207 total through 54 holes. England’s Ross Fisher also moved to 3 under with two straight birdies before heading to the 18th hole.

Watson was just one stroke back, despite those three bogeys. He still had three holes to play including the par-5 17th to play — easiest on the course.

Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa is right in the mix, shooting a 71 that left him at 208. Lee Westwood of England is at 208, as well, after shooting 70.

The 59-year-old Watson is trying to become the oldest major champion in golf history.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

TURNBERRY, Scotland (AP) — Mathew Goggin of Australia has pulled even with Tom Watson for the lead at the British Open, shooting a 1-under 69 in blustery conditions at Turnberry.

The 59-year-old Watson was hanging on Saturday in his bid to become the oldest major champion in golf history. While he had only one birdie, three nifty par saves over the first 14 holes kept him 2-over for the day and solidly in contention for an improbable sixth Open championship.

Goggin was in the clubhouse with a 3-under 207 after one of only five below-par rounds on a warm, sunny day in which the breeze off the Irish Sea whipped across the course. The 35-year-old Aussie, a journeyman on the PGA Tour, had a couple of birdies on the back side but will best be remembered for his dash up the fairway at No. 16 to mark his ball before it rolled back into Wilson’s Burn.