British Open live updates: Eddie Pepperell moves into share of lead

Grand Slam in the making? There’s still a day to go on the Old Course, and a PGA Championship to be played before we start talking about Spieth in terms of golf history, or perhaps even golf immortality.

Jordan Spieth is only one shot behind and will become the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to capture the first three Major titles of the year if he finishes the job off tomorrow.

On a day when birdies were there for the taking, and were taken by everyone else on an Old Course tamed by tranquil weather conditions, Johnson managed only one – at the 15th – and leaked four dropped shots to fall five strokes behind. Not when he’s so coolly confident that he’s embracing the idea of what might be instead of worrying about the magnitude of what it would be. “I’m going to have to put together a special round tomorrow to have a chance”, he said.

Give Dustin Johnson credit for this, at least: He deals with disappointment in majors remarkably well.

“Whether it happens or not, I can’t really control”.

That might not seem impossible to make up, though having 17 players ahead of him – Spieth included – makes it a tall order. Look closer, and he burns with the fire that only the greats can somehow find a way to channel.

But the Masters and US Open champion was set to face a large number of challengers in Monday’s delayed final round, including 22-year-old Irish amateur Paul Dunne, who was mistaken for Spieth by autograph-seeking fans this week. He’s not about to be overcome by the moment on Monday, something that those in front of him may not be able to honestly say.

“I felt like I was hitting good putts”, Johnson said. “It’ll be a pretty bunched leaderboard, so it’s just giving myself as many chances as I can”.

Apart from a bogey five at the ninth, Spieth was unstoppable while Johnson opened with four consecutive pars.

“However, an amateur golfer may participate in a golf match, competition or exhibition where prize money or its equivalent is offered, provided that prior to participation he waives his right to accept prize money in that event”.

Woods used to do the same kind of thing when he needed to refocus.

“Walking off of nine green was as frustrated as I’ve been in a tournament other than off of 14 yesterday morning”, Spieth said. “I played the worst round, and I don’t feel like I played that bad. I did both times”.

Eighteen more holes remain between Spieth and a remarkable third straight major.

He took one more look at that vast fairway, put the three-wood back in his bag… and pulled out the driver.

Indeed, there was a feeling in the air that in a land of royals, this was golf’s new king.

It was tough to gauge Jordan Spieth’s mood early in Sunday’s third round of the British Open.

“At this point it’s free rolling”, Spieth said after his third-round 66. “It was huge for my confidence to carry that momentum into the rest of the round, and it’s big for me going into tomorrow”. “It helps me think a little bit better”.

Sleep shouldn’t be a problem for Spieth, who after a late arrival this week – he was busy last Sunday winning the John Deere Classic – has finally adjusted to the time zone. That left Leishman with another par and one shot away from joining the select list of players who’ve shot 63 in a major.

Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press.