The Open: Curtis Sets the Pace in Tough Conditions at Birkdale

Winds gusting up to 35mph made conditions at Royal Birkdale "the toughest so far", according to Phillip Archer, the first man in the clubhouse on day three.

Archer shot an eight-over-par 78, contributing to a 17-over total of 227 for three rounds. The Warrington-based player was later joined on that tally by Lee Westwood and Austria's Martin Wiegele, both of whom shot 78s.

"It was the toughest day so far," said Archer. "Staying steady over the ball was the hardest bit - the ball is oscillating as you address it and you're scared to put the putter down in case the ball moves."

With the players struggling to cope with the blustery conditions, scores close to par were a notable achievement. Henrik Stenson carded a level-par 70, a round that might have been even better were it not for a double-bogey six at the 16th, to take the clubhouse lead in the early afternoon at eight over.

Davis Love III also shot a more than respectable 70 to finish the day nine over par, where he was joined by Steve Stricker. Ben Curtis had started at a remarkable pace and was three under for the day at the turn, his round including an eagle at the par-four third. Bogeys at 11, 12 and 13, though, scuppered any hopes of challenging the overnight leaders. The former champion recovered to card a 70, one shot ahead of Stenson.

Colin Montgomerie also failed to make any headway, dropping a further four shots to finish the day at 12 over. But his struggles paled next to Thomas Aiken - the South African began the day in contention at six over, but an eight at 11 and a six at the 12th, combined with a series of bogeys on the outward nine, saw him 11-over for the day after 12 holes.

David Duval, who had overturned years of disastrous form to shoot a 73 in his first round and a 69 yesterday, began his round today with a nightmare triple-bogey seven at the first, followed by a bogey five at the second to drop back to six over par.

Of the overnight leaders, Greg Norman made a disappointing start with a bogey at the first, as did the Columbian Camilo Villegas. Padraig Harrington began steadily and was through the first five holes in par, while at the very head of the field KJ Choi parred the opening two holes to open a two-shot lead.