Rock solid Oosthuizen has Open win in his sights

The day started off badly for Louis Oosthuizen as he watched on television South Africa lose again at rugby to New Zealand.

But by the end of it, things had brightened up considerably and he stood on the cusp of winning the British Open.

Many thought the largely untested 27-year-old from the Western Cape coastal town of Mossel Bay would melt under the spotlight when he started the third round leading the field by five strokes.

But they were proved wrong as Oosthuizen gathered himself after bogeying the first to end the day four strokes clear of Paul Casey and seven ahead of Martin Kaymer.

"I feel like I started off a bit slow. I was quite a bit nervous on the first," he said.

"That putt - I was quite nervous knocking it 10 feet past. But during the round it was great.

"I got myself together and made a few good par saves and my first birdie on seven just got me going, really.

"I felt like I swung it really well all day and probably left a few more birdies out there. But 69, I'm really happy."

Oosthuizen twice saw Casey, playing in the pairing ahead of him, get within one shot of his lead, but down the stretch he was rock solid, holing a monster birdie putt at 16, safely negotiating the Road Hole and then driving the 18th green for a closing birdie.

With Casey parring his way in, that gave the South African a handy four-hole cushion and a the very real prospect of realising a dream by winning his first major at the Home of Golf.

Whatever happens on Sunday, Oosthuizen, known as Shrek to his friends because he reminds them of the swamp-loving movie ogre, is determined to enjoy the moment in the company of close friend Casey.

"It's not every day you play in the final group leading the Open Championship," he said.

"I think by going out there and just enjoying the moment really and just not thinking about everything else is just going to make your day really nice.

"We'll probably have a good time together on the course tomorrow, the two of us."

Oosthuizen revealed that prior to his round Saturday he had received a call of encouragement from fellow South African Ernie Els, the 2002 Open champion at Muirfield, who missed the cut here.

Els has been fundamental in the development of Oosthuizen's career helping him financially and emotionally to bridge the gap between a struggling farming family background to the life of a professional golfer.

He also said he had received a text message from South African legend Gary Player and expected he would get a call from him sometime before he tackles his final round.

And there were words of encouragement from another compatriot, Retief Goosen, who was in a tie for eighth place after a 72 on Saturday.

"Louis has actually been playing some really good golf this year. He has probably had a chance to win four or five European Tour events this year, and he just failed in that last round or somebody else shot a great round," the former US Open champion said.

"He has one of the best golf swings on tour and he's a good wind player, grew up in an area that's very windy. Wind here is pretty normal for where he grew up.

"It's going to be tough, but you know, you've got to get out there and do it. Somebody has to do it."