3<\/p>\n Westwood went from agony to ecstasy on Saturday at PortrushCredit: AFP via Getty<\/p>\n Westwood <\/a>opened his third round with scores of par on the first two holes.<\/p>\n However, the 52-year-old carded three bogeys as well as a double bogey across the next seven holes to leave him sitting precariously at four-over for the round at the halfway mark having scored 40, with a birdie on the seventh the only bright spot.<\/p>\n Despite his poor display on the front nine, Westwood flicked a switch at the halfway mark and turned into a world-beater.<\/p>\n A birdie on the tenth proved to be the launchpad for a remarkable turnaround for Westwood.<\/p>\n Two birdies on the 11th and 12th followed as he found his groove.<\/p>\n Westwood was not done there, as he recorded three more birdies on the 14th, 15th and 17th.<\/p>\n It meant Westwood finished with a score of 29 on the back nine.<\/p>\n The seven-time Ryder Cup champion’s final score equalled Ryan Fox’s effort in 2019 for the lowest back nine score ever recorded in a round at the Open.<\/p>\n Coincidentally, both Westwood and Fox’s efforts took place at Portrush.<\/p>\n Westwood almost had sole ownership of the record, but his putt on the 18th cruelly lipped out as he had to settle for par.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n The 52-year-old had every right to be all smiles following his back nine displayCredit: Getty<\/p>\n Overall, Westwood finished with a score of two-under for the third round and five-under for the entire tournament.<\/p>\n Speaking to Sky Sports after his historic third round, Westwood said: “Let’s forget the front nine and move straight to the back nine.<\/p>\n “I was hitting some good shots towards the end of the front nine and starting to get the feel of it.<\/p>\n “I rattled off three birdies in a row at 10, 11 and 12, that gave me a bit more confidence.<\/p>\n “I stiffed it on 15, holed a nice putt on 17 and then don’t know how it’s missed at the last.”<\/p>\n Westwood’s score of five-under left him in an eight-way tie for 14th going into the final round at Portrush on Sunday.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Westwood has work to do if he is to climb up the leaderboard on SundayCredit: Getty<\/p>\n However, Westwood will need to recreate the magic of his back nine performance if he is to rocket into contention as Scottie Scheffler sits atop the leaderboard on 14-under for the tournament.<\/p>\n The American holds a six-stroke lead over local hero Rory McIlroy<\/a>, who goes into Sunday on eight-under and is tied for fourth.<\/p>\n McIlroy began his third round in blistering fashion with three birdies from the opening four holes.<\/p>\n![\"Westwood](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPO_2225111169jpg-JS1011082038.jpg\")
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