Sunshine boy Rickie Fowler produced a waterproof round of golf to launch himself towards the top of the British Open leaderboard on Saturday after eclipsing playing partner Rory McIlroy in the third round at rain-lashed Royal St George's.
The 22-year-old Californian whose look is more surf-dude than grizzled links golfer, produced a brilliant two-under-par 68 to move to two under for the tournament and raise hopes of a major breakthrough on Sunday. Impressive all week on the bunker-riddled links, Fowler defied sheeting rain and gusting winds to close in on overnight leader Darren Clarke who grabbed the outright lead when he moved to five under after 12 holes. Veteran Clarke, who finished tied third in 2001 but has not made the top 10 in a British Open since, rolled back the years to leave pre-tournament favourite and fellow Northern Irishman McIlroy in the shade.