British Open 2013: What to Expect from Golf's Biggest Superstars on Day 3

The biggest star of all shined bright enough to stay within one shot of the lead at the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield in Scotland. Tiger Woods followed up his two-under 69 with an even-par 71, and he's just one shot off the lead heading into the weekend.

The rest of the field should be very afraid.

Muirfield's design is suited for Tiger's game where he can substitute drivers for long irons. If he putts well, he'll be hard to handle on Saturday and Sunday.

The third round was a nightmare for Woods the last time the tournament was held at Muirfield. In 2002, Woods shot a 10-over 81 and ruined his chances of contending. Woods will be doing everything he can to keep history from repeating itself on Saturday.

I'd say he's a good bet to stay dangerous through the weekend.

Here's a look at the real-time leaderboard and what to expect from a few of the other big names in action in the third round of the 2013 Open Championship.

Jordan Spieth

After a solid first round (two-under 69), Jordan Spieth came back down to earth with a three-over 74. He is still within striking distance at only four shots behind Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Saturday is the day the soon-to-be 20-year-old will prove whether or not he's seriously ready to challenge for his first major.

While he's playing very well over the last two months, he's not quite ready to be a major threat on Sunday at Muirfield. Look for Saturday to produce another over-par round for the young Texan.

Adam Scott

The 2013 Masters champion hasn't quite found himself just yet at Muirfield. He's been steady enough to be even with Spieth and seven others at one over par but not good enough on either day to make us think he'll be excessively dangerous the rest of the way.

It is quite possible Adam Scott could shoot a round in the 60s on Saturday that would vault him into the top five on the leaderboard.

He's had four sub-70 rounds on the third day of tournaments this year, but it is more likely Scott stays right on the line he's towed thus far.

He shot an even-par 71 on Thursday and a one-over 72 on Friday. Consistency is one of Scott's hallmarks, and he'll likely stay on course with his performance from the first two rounds. Look for a round between 70-72 from Scott on Saturday.

 

Bubba Watson

Sometimes Bubba Watson's daring strategies work out, sometimes they don't. His scorecards from the first two days of the Open Championship have been all over the place.

He has a total of one double bogey, eight bogeys, seven birdies and an eagle through two rounds.

There is little consistency in his game thus far. Despite Watson's mixed bag, he's still among the crowded group at one under par overall.

In order for Watson to ascend up the leaderboard, he's going to have to be more consistent. Unfortunately, that probably won't happen, as consistency isn't as big a part of Watson's game.

Expect another day of varied success that keeps him somewhat close to the leaders, but not a serious threat on Sunday.

Phil Mickelson

Were it not for two double bogeys on Friday, Phil Mickelson would be right in the mix with the leaders heading into Saturday. He had three birdies on the day, but his slip-ups on the second and 16th holes ruined what would have been a solid day considering how difficult the course played on Friday.

Nevertheless, Mickelson is still playing well. He continued his momentum from the Scottish Open, and Lefty seems primed to shoot an under-par round on Saturday.

He'll be a factor heading into Sunday's action.

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