Jordan Spieth Among Leaders With Strong 3rd Round at 2018 British Open

Jordan Spieth ended Day 3 of the 2018 British Open tied for the lead with Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner, after shooting 65 at Carnoustie in Angus, Scotland on Saturday.

The defending champion started with an eagle before hitting three birdies over the back nine to finish as the clubhouse leader at six-under for the day and nine-under overall:

The defending champion got his day started in style with an eagle on the first hole:

He was able to complete the hole with two shots to spare thanks to a terrific drive from the tee:

ESPN Stats & Info put the eagle into context:

It was proof Spieth was comfortable trusting the driver on a tricky course in unpredictable conditions. The powerful first shot also set the tone for Spieth's determined approach to make quick work of the front nine.

Pars followed on the next two holes before the 24-year-old sunk a birdie at the fourth. The birdie moved Spieth into a tie for the lead at six-under.

Hitting par at the fifth, sixth and seventh kept Spieth firmly in control of his own fate, with some already anticipating a successful title defense:

However, Spieth was overtaken by Kisner at the top of the leaderboard and could only manage pars to close out the front nine.

Spieth began the back nine with another par before a birdie at the par-four 11th put him just one shot adrift.

Another birdie on the par-five 14th helped make Spieth the outright leader and kept a potential piece of history alive:

A birdie putt on the 16th put more history in Spieth's sights:

Finding par over the final two holes meant Spieth closed out his round in style. In the process, he maintained a strong recent run at The Open:

Spieth had begun the day three shots off the lead, but he offered a timely reminder he's still the player to beat.