The 2018 Scottish Open has taken on a new name — The Wide Open.
It is exactly that after 54 holes in the books at the Gullane Golf Club — this one is there for the taking and there are at least 26 players with a chance to take the title on Sunday.
There is a leader, a fairly unaccomplished one. Swede Jens Dandtorp has never won on the European Tour yet he’s atop the logjam after he holed a 10-foot birdie putt at the final hole Saturday afternoon for a 68 that got him to 13-under par.
Rickie Fowler, winner the last time Gullane hosted the event, heads a list of a half-dozen players a shot back. Ryan Fox is in that group with him. Fox lost the Irish Open last week to Russell Knox after the Scot drained a 30-footer for birdie on the first playoff hole at Ballyliffin.
Speaking of Knox, he’ll have all of Scotland pulling for him over the final 18 and he’s just two shots back at 11-under par, one of three players at that number.
One of Europe’s finest — Justin Rose — is one of seven players in at 10-under par.
Another nine are at nine-under, just four back including two Americans — first round leader Luke List along with Charley Hoffman.
The winds started to pick up in the afternoon during the third round, making scoring tougher and the final round forecast is for more wind.
The wind unhinged overnight leader Robert Rock. He shot 76, finished seven under and fell into a tie for 34th.
