Updated at 16.15
LEE WESTWOOD WAS doggedly holding on to his lead as he started the back nine in the final round of the British Open at blustery Muirfield on Sunday.
Starting the day two clear of a class field, the 40-year-old Englishman, seeking his first major title at his 62nd attempt, dropped one at the third after an errant iron off the tee.
A birdie on the fifth was followed up with back-to-back bogies on seven and eight to drop back to -1 for the tournament.
He shares the lead with Masters Champion Adam Scott who birdied three in a row from hole seven to nine to join the Englishman on -1.
The leader in the clubhouse though is the fast-charging Ian Poulter.
The colourful Ryder Cup hero had a quiet start but then went on the rampage with an eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie run from the ninth hole, his putting reminiscent of the magic he produced at Medinah last year.
Also making ground are Phil Mickelson (-2) and Zach Johnson (-1) who are both level par for the tournament through 13 holes while the challenge of Tiger Woods at +3 looks over for another major.
Darren Clarke (+7) finished best of the Irish ahead of Shane Lowry (+9), Padraig Harrington (+11) and Graeme McDowell (+12).
First published at 3.00pm.
Additional reporting from AFP.
