Scot Watch - Sunday

In total Scotland can boast 41 Open victories, but it?s looking increasingly likely there won?t be a Scottish winner this year. Ross Bain is the only home player with even the slimmest of chances. He?s 12 shots off the lead going into the final round so he?s got to outdo Paul Lawrie?s 10 shot comeback of eight years ago by two shots, three if he wants to win outright. He probably needs to shoot a 59 at worst. I think it might be a bridge too far even for someone with Bain?s pedigree.

Alastair Forsyth had something of a nightmare yesterday. He three putted the third, fourth and fifth before pulling one out of bounds on the sixth. A seven over 78 took him from the fringe of contention to the fringe of the tournament. Forsyth was, however, one of only three men to make a birdie at the 18th. It looks as though things are continuing in the same vein today for the Glaswegian. He?s just made a double bogey at the sixth to drop to four over for the day and 10 over for the Championship.

Sandy Lyle is now two shots ahead of Forsyth and currently lies in a tie for 57th. I?m predicting a superb back nine from Sandy propelling him into the top 50.

English golfers have won the Championship on 28 occasions, just 13 less than the mighty Scots. The leading English contender this year is Paul Broadhurst. He?s three under par and six shots back. It?ll require a great effort but somethin in the mid 60s could get him into the mix. I, for one, will be putting Flodden, Culloden, Dunbar and Neville?s Cross behind me and giving Paul my full support.