Wind blows Holmes, field back

Posted at 2:26 p.m. EDT – Eric Lindsey, UK Media Relations

Turnberry bit back Saturday, but J.B.Holmes remained in the hunt.

Typical British Open conditions blew the field closer and closer to even par, taking Holmes, a former UK golfer, with it. After back-to-back strong rounds to open the tournament, Holmes shot a 5-under 75 on Saturday, seven shots back of 59-year-old Tom Watson, who leads the tournament at 4-under. (What a story by the way, if Watson can pull it off.)

Holmes currently sits in a tie for 27th place after three rounds of play. His best career finish at a major came at the 2008 Masters when he finished in a tie for 25th.

Although Holmes dropped a few shots Saturday, so did the rest of the rest of the field. Only nine golfers are at par or better.

Steady, consistent golf is usually what weathers the Open and captures the Claret Jug – which Holmes has played so far – but he’ll likely have to shoot a red number on Sunday if he has any hopes of capturing his first major.

The winning score will likely hover right around where it is right now, maybe a shot or two less, so that means Holmes is going to have to go low. Real low. Does the former Cat have anywhere from a 63-66 left in his bag of tricks?

We’ll find out Sunday morning at Turnberry.