St Andrews showed it’s teeth at the British Open last week with the huge changes between morning and afternoon weather causing havoc for many of the players caught out at the wrong time. We had our own mini experience of that on Sunday last when the wind whipped up at lunchtime and made the afternoon conditions very treacherous for many players – only three of the top fifteen started after midday.

Congratulations therefore to Ronan Bradbury, off 13, (our Louis Oosthuizen or in his exotic striped trousers is he John Daly’s sole customer?) who stood tall (all 6’ 9’’ of him) against the worst the swirling winds could throw at him to record a fantastic 68 in the afternoon and win the Trustees Prize by one from Peter Madden, off 5, who just saw off Brendan Lambe, also off 5, on the Back 9. Another afternoon starter Philip Glynn, off 11, finished fourth with a very creditable 70. The Gross was won by Des McKenna with a steady 76.

There are now twenty-one players with seven or more cards in and “Discards” have started to play their part. Peter Madden, after three successive rounds in the 60’s, retains the “Clubhouse” leadership on 503, but now only by one from Terry Smyth who gained ground with his 83 “Discard”, Des McKenna, while still third, has slipped to seven shots behind Peter. Eamon Holland, has also lost a little ground but remains fourth on 517.

The “Six Carders” are lead by Tommy Murphy on 450, but, barring some fancy scoring in the last three rounds, they appear to have too much ground to make up – who can prove me wrong?. The same cannot be said for the “Five Carders”, lead by Brendan Lambe on 363 with Stewart O’Higgins and Tom Troy close behind him. Two 69’s would bring them very much into the mix. The “Four Carders”, lead by Michael Hennigan on 290, have no possible “Discards” and therefore no leeway. It’s three 69’s at least or bust for them.

Can Peter Madden maintain his fabulous run? Can Terry Smyth make good use of his 81 “Discard”? Will Des McKenna make a breakthrough and score in the 60’s at last? What about the chasing pack of Eamon Holland, Peter Griffin, Philip Salter, Rob Taylor and Philip Glynn - can any of them string a few 69’s together? Their scores can only be improved with “Discards”. Or, will we get a springer from the Five or Four Carders? The pressure is building on the leaders - the fireworks begin next Sunday in the President Jerry Grant’s Prize (GoY 9).