British Open 2012 Odds: Handicapping the Day 3 Leaderboard

With moving day finished at the 141st British Open Championship, it looks like we've finally got some clarity atop the leaderboard.

Adam Scott leads the field by four strokes after putting up his third consecutive round in the 60s in hopes of his first major championship. Tiger Woods, who was the favorite heading into Saturday's round, faltered a bit and left himself a five-hole deficit to climb out of.

But who do the oddsmakers have as a favorite?  Here are the updated championship odds heading into Sunday's final round.

(All odds updated thanks to golf oddsmaker Jeff Sherman.)

Ernie Els (-5)

Place: Tied for fifth, six strokes behind Scott

Round 3 Score: 68 (-2)

The Big Easy will likely need the leader, Scott, to put up a massive number to take home the Claret Jug, but the 42-year-old Els seems happy to finally be in contention heading into Sunday.  

The former world's No. 1 golfer carded a two-under score of 68 on Saturday, playing a relatively safe round and scoring just one bogey. Els' safe play has been rewarded by a tournament-leading 79.8 greens in regulation percentage.  

However, Big Easy will need to crank up the aggressiveness on Sunday and put up a low score to put himself in contention for his second Open Championship.

Updated Odds: 15-1

Zach Johnson (-5)

Place: Tied for fifth, six strokes behind Scott

Round 3 Score: 66 (-4)

After seemingly falling out of contention with a second-round 74, Johnson again showed his penchant for going low with a four-under 66 on Saturday.  

Renowned as one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, Johnson proved why on moving day. His six birdies were highlighted by a beautiful 30-foot put on hole No. 8, and Johnson expertly navigated the greens all day.

In all likelihood, Johnson's second round will keep him from taking home the Claret Jug. But if anyone can go super low on Sunday, it's probably the 2007 Masters champion.

Updated Odds: 25-1

Tiger Woods (-6)

Place: Fourth place, five strokes behind Scott

Round 3 Score: 70 (E)

On a day where many thought Tiger would roar himself to the top of the Open Championship leaderboard, Woods thew himself behind the eight-ball with two bogeys in the first three holes Saturday.

But after three birdies in the last four holes of the front nine, it looked like the patented Tiger run was upon us.

Alas, it wasn't meant to be, as Tiger's 36-hold tournament-leading accuracy escaped him on moving day, and he found himself scrambling to save pars on the back nine.  

With Tiger five strokes behind Scott headed to Sunday, it's likely he'll fall short for his sixth straight British Open.

Updated Odds: 5-1

Brandt Snedeker (-7)

Place: Tied for second, four strokes behind Scott

Round 3 Score: 73 (+3)

After opening with four straight pars on Saturday, the 36-hole leader Snedeker fell apart on a seven-hole stretch where he dug himself a five-bogey hole.

Following another bogey on hole No. 14, the championship looked as good as lost for Snedeker. But the 31-year-old from Nashville roared back on Royal Lytham's final three holes, knocking down two birdies and giving himself a fighting chance on Sunday.

For a man who never made the cut at the Open Championship before this weekend, Snedeker can at least take solace in a great overall performance.

Updated Odds: 15-1

Graeme McDowell (-7)

Place: Tied for second, four strokes behind Scott

Round 3 Score: 67 (-3)

Of the players still in contention, only Johnson had a better moving day than McDowell's three-under score of 67.

After a rocky start on the front nine, McDowell settled down on the back and scored three birdies in between holes 13 and 17.

The 32-year-old McDowell is looking for his first major championship since the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Regardless, even if Scott proves to be too far ahead, McDowell should take home his best Open Championship placing.  His previous high was a tie for 11th at the Old Course at St. Andrews in 2005.

Updated Odds: 4-1

Adam Scott (-11)

Place: First, four strokes ahead of the field

Round 3 Score: 68 (-2)

With a steady two-under score of 68, Scott roared to the front when most people fell back at Royal Lytham Saturday. With a four-stroke lead over Snedeker and McDowell, the 32-year-old Scott is in prime position to win his first major championship.

The Australian has thrived this week driving the ball, averaging tournament-leading 319.8 yards off the tee while making just four bogeys compared to 15 birdies.  

If Scott stays steady and shoots his fourth-straight round in the 60s, he should have no problem walking away with the Claret Jug on Sunday.

Updated Odds: 4-7