Garcia faces test of nerve at sodden Carnoustie

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22 (Reuters) Sergio Garcia was facing a test of nerve as much as skill when he resumed his British Open challenge on the final day at sodden Carnoustie today.

The 27-year-old Spaniard began his fourth round with a three-shot cushion on nine under par over playing partner Steve Stricker, who was also gunning for his first major title.

Plenty of big names were massing behind the pair after torrential morning rain gave way to more benign but still overcast conditions on the east Scotland links.

Ernie Els, the 2002 champion who started the day six shots adrift of Garcia, was off to a flyer as he sank a 10-footer at the third to go with another birdie the hole before.

That took the big South African to five under, four adrift of Garcia who started with two regulation pars as did American Stricker.

Tiger Woods, chasing his third consecutive Open title, had improved two shots after six holes with birdies at the fourth and fifth but failed to make further ground at the 578-yard par-five sixth, settling for par.

Woods has not won any of his 12 majors other than from a leading position going into the last round.

Australian left-hander Richard Green was making the most of a red-hot putter to join Els at five under.

Four birdies in an outward 32 were followed by another at the short 13th and he then rolled in a 40-footer to eagle the 514-yard 14th.

Rory McIlroy, the 18-year-old amateur from Northern Ireland, completed a memorable week with a 72 for a five-over 289 total.

He had already secured the silver medal as the only non-professional to make the halfway cut.

American Ben Curtis, the 2003 champion, set the early clubhouse pace after a 65 earned a three-under tally of 281.

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