Norman Still Atop Leaderboard at British Open

After carding his third straight round in the low 70s at windswept Royal Birkdale, 53-year-old Greg Norman is leading the British Open as the third major of the year heads to its conclusion Sunday. In blustery conditions at the historic links in Southport, England, Norman shot a 2-over 72 to forge a two-stroke lead over defending champion Padraig Harrington (72) and second-round leader K.J. Choi (75).

Norman will be seeking to become golf's oldest major champion. He sits at 2-over 212 for the championship. Due to the difficult conditions, there was not a single under-par round to be found Saturday. Ireland's Graeme McDowell, winner of last week's Scottish Open on the European Tour and the first-round leader at Birkdale after a 69 on Thursday, fired a 10-over 80 to fall from contention.

Another pre-tournament favorite and a popular choice among the gallery, England's Justin Rose carded a desultory 12-over 82 and is now tied for next-to-last with two others at 18-over 228. A resurgent David Duval shot 73 and 69 in his first two rounds. But on Saturday the 2001 Open champion ballooned to an 83 to eliminate any chance at victory.

Another contender after the second round, Colombia's Camilo Villegas, who carded a scintillating 5-over 65 yesterday, shot 15 strokes higher Saturday and is now eight shots back of Norman.

The weather was miserable for the entire field, with winds regularly whipping to 40 miles per hour. "It was probably about as tough as you can play out there," said 2003 Open champion Ben Curtis, who tied with the low round of the day, an even-par 70. The American is in fifth - along with American Anthony Kim, England's Ross Fisher and Sweden's Alexander Noren - five shots back of the leader and in as good position as any to claim a second Claret Jug.

Canada's Mike Weir shot a 74 and heads into Sunday at 11-over 221. He was actually pleased with his score. "All you can do is laugh . . . and go home and watch the rest of the guys try to deal with this," said the 2003 Masters champion. Weir noted that balls on the greens were wiggling and the sand in some of the bunkers had been blown out by gusts that some estimated to be in excess of 50 miles per hour.