The ISM focus at The Open switched from Northern Ireland to South Africa yesterday as many players were blown away at the home of golf.

Some of the strongest winds ever recorded saw Rory McIlroy slip from a first round 63 to a second round 80.

But it’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good and Louis Oosthuizen wasn’t complaining after a 65-67 return over the first two days saw him top the leaderboard by a massive five shots when the third round teed off this morning.

Louis is a wonderful character, liked by all and a tenacious golfer.  And he’s always thinking of others.   He told the world’s press that the only reason he was at The Open was because of all the help he had had while graduating through Ernie Els's academy.  Now he has his own back home in South Africa... and tomorrow he may well have something special to show his students.

The silver claret jug will go to the winner and although there is still plenty of golf left in this championship, Louis will not be fazed by what he has to do this weekend to get his hands on it.

I expect Lee Westwood to lead all those chasing Louis while Darren Clarke will draw confidence from being paired with Tiger Woods.

Darren was up before the crack of dawn this morning to complete his wind-delayed second round and his prize for a four under aggregate was to be paired with his good friend Tiger.

It was one of those days that can catch any golfer for Rory. But he would have teed off today believing that he could still force his way back into contention.

We still have plenty of runners left in this 150th anniversary event and I believe we will fill quite a portion of the leaderboard tomorrow.