Another from almost two metres at the next thrust him back to level and one from 7.5m birdie at the 13th, after he’d been trouble off the tee, put him into red figures.
Day, who’s finished runner-up in each of the majors, is now hoping for a big push over the weekend to add to the PGA crown he won nine years ago.
Adam Scott plays his third shot on the 11th hole on a rugged day at the Open.Credit: Getty Images
“You just kind of try and be as steady as I was today,” he said of his prospective approach in the third round.
“I’d like to play like that over the next two days, but I’ve just got to kind of take it one shot at a time. So just kind of try to get myself in contention, and then anything happens on Sunday.”
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Smith’s championship is one he’ll wish to forget.
He followed up his opening 80 – his worst score at a major – with a 74 that left him at 12 over for the two days, a yawning 19 shots behind playing partner Lowry.
Scott, fresh from his runners-up spot at the Scottish Open, had begun at one under, but after a couple of early bogeys, then suffered a double at the “Postage Stamp” eighth hole.
The little 110m horror may have spooked him as he turned for home with three more straight bogeys, but the tough 44-year-old holed a 9.5m shot for birdie at the penultimate hole to ensure his 77 was enough at five over for him to make his 19th Open cut from 24 attempts.
Lee fared worse still, slumping from his overnight level-par to nine over with an 80 that featured one double bogey and seven bogeys.
Lowry is halfway to a repeat of his emotional 2019 triumph at Royal Portrush. He survived a mid-round double bogey “disaster” before getting back on track quite brilliantly, rolled in a six-metre birdie putt on the 18th to complete a two-under par 69 and finish on seven under.
Cameron Smith missed the cut at the Open.Credit: AP
“It was pretty good, it was tough out there,” beamed the 37-year-old. “The wind wasn’t quite as strong as yesterday, but it was still tricky. The 11th was a bit of a disaster – but I handled that well and managed to finish nicely.”
On that 11th, the notorious “Railway” hole, Lowry pulled his second shot into the gorse, took a penalty drop and hit his fourth on to the green, only for his original ball to be found by a spectator. That meant it was still in play and Lowry hit his approach just short of the green, completing a double-bogey six.
“To be honest, I was happy enough leaving there with a six,” said Lowry. “It wasn’t a disaster. I have felt quite calm and composed the last couple of days. I’ve felt really in my comfort zone.”
Tiger Woods bowed out with another disappointing round of 77 following his 79, but rather more shocking was Rory McIlroy’s departure as he went out in 42 and bowed out on 11 over following a 75.
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