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1300: "It was very wet, very cool and very windy," says Aussie Matthew Millar on the telly, while looking very wet, very cool and very windy. "It was a real beast today..." Young American amateur Uihlein is putting a very commendable round together - +1 through 12, +3 overall. Garcia on three - 216 yards today - and he's safely on. McIlroy's third on the second grips and comes up well short, he's in danger of dropping twon on the spin...
Andy via text 81111: "Following the Open in Kas, Turkey. It's 32 degrees, no waterproofs required. My wife just dived into the pool - more John Daly than Tom Daley."
1255: Crackerjack bunker escape from Watson at 10, could make par from there - he mops up to stay one under for the day. McIlroy has yanked his tee shot into the cabbage on two, Fowler is in the bunker back down the fairway.
Jay Townsend on Radio 5 live: "Rickie Fowler was actually playing links golf there, not just golf through the air and that could stand him in good stead."
1250: McIlroy with a 15-footer for par at the first and that's a shot gone, he's back to one over. Fowler raps his par putt home, he stays level. Matthew Millar is first in the clubhouse, he posted an 80 for +13 overall. Double-bogey, bogey at 14 and 15 for Paul Casey, he's +10. Fowler cocks the hammer and hooks his tee shot at two. Triple-bogey for Woodland at 14, that's five shots gone in three holes.
1244: Solid par for Tom Watson on nine, he's out in one-under 34. Two shots gone for Woodland at 12 and 13, the American back to +3. Poults doing his best to ingratiate himself with the fans (see below) - I wonder if his Jag is key-proof? McIlroy finds the front bunker at the first, Fowler safely on the dancefloor. Tom Watson is the only player currently out on the course under par, which tells you everything you need to know about the conditions. Gary Woodland hacking down the 14th, a promising round unravelling...
Ian Poulter on Twitter: "I've got 128 miles before I reach my house, 94 miles Of fuel. I wonder if I drive this Jaguar efficiently will it make it without stopping."
Ian Poulter on Twitter: "Ha ha ha reading some of your tweets makes me laugh. Armchair golfers telling me why it didn't work. I'm sure they are all perfect. Ha ha"
1236: Watson did indeed leak that tee shot right but he's got a decent lie from the rough. That is peche de la peche from the old fella, right into the heart of the green at nine. England's Justin Rose kicked off with four straight bogeys today, he's back at +6. Rory on tee, he's playing with Rickie Fowler again today - the American looks like he's just been having a drink in Stockholm's Ice Bar. Peter Uihlein! Splashing in at 10 from a green-side bunker, that's two birdies on the spin, he's back to three over. Fowler flushes one down the fairway, McIlroy tugs his into some wispy stuff left of the fairway...
1229: Watson pings one down the ninth and we think he's leaked it right. Oosthuizen at eight, going with rescue, and he bunts onto the front of the green. Sergio about to get chocs away, but first it's Spencer Levin of the United States who sweeps his drive away. Garcia in some scrub and he slips on the over gloves as he strides down the fairway... Woodland with bogey at 12, back to +2 he goes...
Mark Roe on Radio 5 live: "There is an opportunity with this compacted field for someone to come from the cut line and win the Championship."
1223: Jim Furyk bends one in from 20 feet at seven and is back at +4. US amateur champion Peter Uihlein has nicked a shot back at nine for an outward stretch of 37 and +4 overall. The free-swinging Bubba Watson has parred the first and here he is for birdie at two... comes up just short. Tom Watson for par at eight, from long range... made it! Could it be his year? Surely not. Stenson on 10, 25-footer for par - cosied up, but shot gone, the Swede back to +4. The broad smile tells its own story...
1215: Winds of 30mph+ forecast today and 2cm of rain expected before 4pm. But let's not get too carried away, they're hardly coal miners. I think we can safely say Paul Casey's challenge is over - the Englishman is four over for the day through 13 and seven over overall. Defending champion Oosthuizen (pronounced 'west-hay-zen' - come on chaps, I kow we're British, but it's not that hard...) is two over for his round through six and four over for the tournament.
1211: If you think it's bad in Sandwich, you should be in Salford - it's been sunny all week, tickling the tummies of the BBC newcomers, and then it's gone and kneed us in the jaffers. Horrible. This weather is right up Tom Watson's alley - birdie at seven, he's back to +1 overall and right in the mixer. Australia's Jason Day has parred the first to stay one over.
1204: Many thanks Phil, Ben Dirs in the chair for a few hours now - manually refresh if you would like to see my name at the top of the page. We have a 10 minute hiatus now on the telly while someone on the news talks about Rupert Murdoch. Gary Woodland of the States - who I am reliably informed is the longest hitter in the field - is smashing the place up, he's two under through 11. He's 27, won his first PGA title in March and hails from Kansas - they get a bit of wind there... I've seen the Wizard of Oz...
Michael Vaughan on Twitter: "Clarke loves the wind and rain so should revel in conditions today at Sandwich... Dyson also good in the wind"
1158: Bubba Watson is underway at the first and finds the first cut of rough to the left of the fairway. Jason Day is playing alongside him and he strikes a decent first shot down the fairway. Both players are one over for the tournament. Fowler's attire makes him look somewhat similar to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. They both wore daft hats as well. If Rory's going to stay ahead in the battle of the young guns he could always resort to crossing the streams.
TheJez01 on Twitter: "Ricky Fowler's attire today somewhat akin to that of an asbestos removal operative meets Disneyworld ice cream seller"
1153: Speaking of bad fashion choices, Woodland, sporting a backward turned cap putts to within a few feet to give hinm a simple putt to par the tenth. He's out on his own at the moment with a superb round in such conditions as the only man under par for his round. At the other end is Paul Lawrie, who has bogeyed the 12th and is now nine over overall, six shots worse than his overnight total.
1144: Tom Watson at the par-three sixth. His tee shot gets a nice result, avoiding the trouble and landing 20 feet short on the green. His playing partner Ricky Barnes follows but smashes a low iron shot into the right-hand bunker. Nasty. Just had a little shot of Ricky Fowler's white rain gear. I'm not impressed. Not at all. You can make your own minds up when he takes to the course shortly with Rory McIlroy, who I expect will sport a far more acceptable sartorial style.
1139: Justin Rose has a four-footer to par the third but strikes it too hard and it stays out despite being on target. Henrik Stenson chips to within a foot of the seventh and ends up taking a birdie away with him. The Swede is level today, three over for the tournament. So far today Jung-Gon Hwang has bogeyed all five of the first five holes to go seven over overall. Some comfort for him though is that this is likely to be the norm rather than a mediocre exception.
1130: Immelman is in trouble off to the left of the par-three third via his tee shot. But his next shot is a superb chip to within a few feet and a three now seems a certainty for the South African. Woodland keeps going strong at the ninth, striking his second shot onto the green, but ultimately settles for a par. The American is making this look a lot easier than it is. There are children eating ice cream in the crowd. Ice cream! It's madness I tell ya! Soup is the way forward today people. Or possibly broth. Whatever that is.
Tim HJ, Marlow via text: "re BibiMcBibi at 1037. I am not sure that spider monkeys would be the solution. Having helped my eight-year-old daughter with a recent school project on rain forests, I can confirm that spider monkeys have reduced thumbs and therefore may lack the dexterity necessary to wield a chamois. On the other hand, they could perhaps use their prehensile tails to wipe the camera lenses."
1123: Ricky Barnes approach to the fourth catches the front of the green and rolls back off - a clear insight into the accuracy needed on this course. Tom Watson's third shot to the same hole leaves him a good 15 yards short of the hole. Not a problem for Watson though, who sinks it to stay two over. Millar birdies the 12th to go seven over, but he's got nobody else around to appreciate it. Not a nice day to be playing a round on your own, especially an Aussie used to a far more agreeable climate.
1117: There are plenty of golf umbrellas about, but also a lot of folk without. Correction, a lot of very damp folk without. As it stands American Gary Woodland is the only player in negative figures today, having birdied the fifth and seventh to take him to one over overall. Gregory Havret has a chance from 12 yards to eagle the eighth, but his putt is agonisingly inches short. Oosthuizen and Furyk both his superb approach shots to the third, the former an excellent chip from the rough on the left to within five yards. Furyk sinks his putt to stay three over, as does Oosthuizen, who is a shot better off.
1109: Oosthuizen and Furyk both struggling at the second. They're both wayward of the green after their second shots. Edoardo Molinari three-putts the fifth to drop his first shot of the round. The Italian is now four over. Rose has a tricky eight-footer on the first and taps it right of the hole. The Englishman drops back to three over. Oosthuizen sinks a simple putt from five yards to par the first and stay two over. American Ricky barnes saves par with a wobbly eight-foot putt on the third. As does the evergreen Watson.
1059:An aerial shot of the Kent coastline, shrouded in low-hanging cloud makes it look like the whole event is taking place in a big sweaty tupperware box. Justin Rose's second shot to the first is a poorly hit effort and he skips to the left of the green into the rough. Watson's 15-foot putt for birdie at the second stays a foot or two short. Immelman in even worse shape than Rose at the first, over-shooting his iron past the green and left. Tough up and down from there. Nice Paul Casey approach at the eighth - half a birdie chance there.
1054:Justin Rose, who starts two over, tells BBC One: "In these conditions, I'd take under par. Someone always defies the elements, it's about survival. I'll see how it goes." The Englishman belts the first drive of his round straight down the fairway. Good way to start trying to achieve his aim. Rose is playing alongside Trevor Immelman, who also hits a good first shot to start his round. Oosthuizen sinks a simple four-foot putt for par at the first, while Choi sinks a birdie putt at the seventh to go back to five over. Super bunker escape from Tom Watson at the second, landing it 15 foot from the pin.
1049: Watson follows up his opening par by dipping into a bunker on the second fairway. Bad place to be for the veteran. Meanwhile, at the fifth, Havret sinks an absolute belter putt from range at the fifth for a birdie. The Frenchman is one over for the day, four over for the tournament. Over at the fourth Edoardo Molinari sinks a putt for par and remains three over. Just to let you know, while the TV coverage continues the prep, you can watch live coverage on this website by clicking the video at the top of this page. Don't worry about adjusting your viewer settings, that's just the Kent weather.
Peter Alliss on BBC One: "I'm glad I'll be sitting in the commentary box rather than strolling out there on the course today, such is the weather. Today is going to be one for patience and I can't see very many breaking par. I still think four under will win this Championship."
1043: Tom Watson is underway and hits a lovely little chip from a tricky position on the edge of the green to put the ball within decent putting distance. The American is two over and stays there after making his putt. Ricky Barnes was in the green in regulation but misses his par putt. Meanwhile Louis Oosthuizen and Jim Furyk are beginning their round. Both hit good opening drives and head off into the madness that awaits.
BibiMcBibi on Twitter: "Solution to the wet camera problem: Small spider monkeys holding chamois leathers should be strapped to the top of the camera"
1037: It gets worse for Casey. He has a six-foot par putt on the sixth but never looks like making it and he drops a further shot back. Lawries strikes a minor blow back by sinking a slightly curling 15-yard effort into the hole for a birdie three at the seventh. He's now six over. There are some serious golf fans braving the elements in the stands, clutching umbrellas that may well be sailing over Kent shortly. The wind is vicious.
1025: Paul Casey now five over after dropped shots at the fourth and fifth. The 495-yard par-four fourth hole in particular is claiming some victims this morning. The current average is six shots a golfer on the hole, with four players making double bogeys.
Britain's world number four tennis player Andy Murray on Twitter: "Matthew Millar from australia is playing the last round of the open on his tod!?!? Am I seeing that right? I find that strange! Talk about having to create your own atmosphere...."
BBC Radio 5 Live's Mark Pougatch on Twitter: "My umbrella lasted about 3 minutes before it folded in the Sandwich storm like England's middle order against the Aussies in the mid 90s..."
BBC golf commentator Ken Brown:"Without a doubt, driving accuracy is going to be key, it's critical today. The players will be lucky to drive 250 yards. The weather is grim, extreme, nasty, but if you can get a couple of 70s, you might be thinking 'this trophy could be mine'."
1016: Pity the fool who has the temerity to take a shot from this course. KJ Choi is dragged back the wrong side of par courtesy of a double bogey on the fourth. The beast is stirring to life and showing its claws.
1011: Sandwich has taken a big bite out of Paul Lawrie. He has had an absolute stinker on the fourth, triple bogeying the blighter. He's also dropped a further shot on the fifth to go eight over. It's looking like it's going to be a long day for a few of the fellas out there. However, Dutchman Floris De Vries has made a positive start, picking up a shot on the second to take him to two over. Edorado Molinari and Henrik Stenson are both underway.
1008: Just to let you all know, we now have coverage on BBC One. Repeat, we now have coverage on BBC One. Not that I want you to leave me. Double up with the lap top and TV. You know, multi-task.
1005: If TheJez01's forecast is correct, poor Charles Howell III and Rory Sabbatini can expect to be hit by the worst Kent has to offer when they take to the first tee. It's gonna be like Clooney and Wahlberg in Perfect Storm.
Ominous news from TheJez01 on Twitter: "Here in Bexhill-on-sea it's lashing it down and blowing a hooley. Sandwich will get it in 2 hours or less. Then the fun begins..."
1000: Steady start from England's Paul Casey. The world number 14 has pared the first three holes to maintain his overnight score of three over.
0955: Few more tee-offs to keep you abreast of. American duo Ryan Moore and Gary Woodland are away, followed by Englishman Simon Khan and Gregory Havret of France. Weather's holding up for the time being. A bit of drizzle and some healthy wind. Could be the calm before the storm.
sportmad19 on Twitter: "7 of the last 11 winners of #theopen have been leading after 54 holes and only Cink in 09 (T6) was outside the top5."
0948: KJ Choi birdies the second to go to two over. But it's a disaster for Matthew Millar on the fourth, who cards a double bogey. The Aussie now five over.
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgettsbrings you plenty of 140th Open-based facts from his base at Sandwich: "Biggest hitter in the field? Gary Woodland with 334.5yd ave. Made cut on the number. Shortest? Pablo Larrazabal - 257yds. He's tied 7th." "Most accurate? YE Yang with 75% of fairways hit. He's level par. Least accurate? Rickie Fowler at 25%. He's also level par."
"Best at reaching green in regulation ie in 1 on par 3, 2 on par 4, 3 on par 5: Rory Sabbatini (+1) at 78%. Worst? Steve Stricker (E) at 47%."
0939: Sorry Paul, I shouldn't have been so blase about Royal St George's. The course bites back as Lawrie drops a shot at the par-three third to drop back to four over.
Chris B in Nantwich, Cheshire via text: "If Garcia can get his putting going he has a great chance but all those 10-15ft misses yesterday could be so costly. I have a feeling somebody will shoot a 65 today so you have been warned!"
0934: Lawrie and Bourdy have followed Millar with pars of their own at the first. Not a dropped shot yet. Easy this links golf thing. Paul Casey and KJ Choi up next.
0931: There's a fair few hours yet before the leaders takes to the course, but for all you Clarke fans out there, here's a chance to re-live one of the highlights of his second round - a monster putt on the seventh green for eagle. My brother holed a few huge putts yesterday during a round with me and my dad. He played to 12. He called it the "round of his life". I call it a serious reason to question his handicap.
0923: Solid start to the day for Matthew Millar, who notches up a par on the opening par-four first. As the Aussie makes his way to the second, Scot Paul Lawrie and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy limber up at the start of their round, ready to take on this cunning Kent course.
Colin Young on Twitter: "Right bring it on, let the fun begin. Scary number of US players near the top of the leaderboard."
0913: There's one particular highlight from yesterday worthy of picking out on its own. Have yourselves a watch of American Tom Watson's superb hole-in-one at the par-three sixth. And admire the classy restrained celebration of a man who knows he's just done something special.
0908: Just in case you missed any of the main action from yesterday, or if you need a quick recap of what went on, check out our day two highlights.
0903: The leaders - Clarke and Glover - don't get underway until 1505 BST, but here's a selection of other tee times to keep you informed of: Paul Casey starts at 0915 along with KJ Choi, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler tee off at 1235 and Tom Lewis is with Phil Mickelson at 1350. For the full list, see here.
0855: We're about to get underway with Australian Matthew Millar playing the part of lone pioneer for the third round. He'll play on his own, starting from a score of three over.
0854: There are plenty of very big names who won't be coming to the fore though, with the cut having claimed some high profile victims. The world's number one, two, nine and 16 are all gone as Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter are all forced to watch enviously from the sidelines. Also absent from the last two days are the man who broke Bjorn's heart in 2003, American Ben Curtis, two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington and 2001 winner David Duval.
0852: Day one was all about young Tom's amateur dramatics and elder Thomas partially laying some 2003 Sandwich ghosts to rest. Day two saw Lucas Glover share the lead with a Northern Irishman. No, not that Northern Irishman. Or that one. Yes, Darren Clarke, who shot a 68 to go four under with the 2009 US Open champion. But we're heading into the business end of matters now and with a congested leaderboard, a challenging course and even more challenging weather forecast there's plenty of scope for other names to come to the fore.
0850: Now then. So who fancies a lazy Saturday watching some Open Championship golf?
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Andy via text 81111: "Following the Open in Kas, Turkey. It's 32 degrees, no waterproofs required. My wife just dived into the pool - more John Daly than Tom Daley."
1255: Crackerjack bunker escape from Watson at 10, could make par from there - he mops up to stay one under for the day. McIlroy has yanked his tee shot into the cabbage on two, Fowler is in the bunker back down the fairway.
Jay Townsend on Radio 5 live: "Rickie Fowler was actually playing links golf there, not just golf through the air and that could stand him in good stead."
1250: McIlroy with a 15-footer for par at the first and that's a shot gone, he's back to one over. Fowler raps his par putt home, he stays level. Matthew Millar is first in the clubhouse, he posted an 80 for +13 overall. Double-bogey, bogey at 14 and 15 for Paul Casey, he's +10. Fowler cocks the hammer and hooks his tee shot at two. Triple-bogey for Woodland at 14, that's five shots gone in three holes.
1244: Solid par for Tom Watson on nine, he's out in one-under 34. Two shots gone for Woodland at 12 and 13, the American back to +3. Poults doing his best to ingratiate himself with the fans (see below) - I wonder if his Jag is key-proof? McIlroy finds the front bunker at the first, Fowler safely on the dancefloor. Tom Watson is the only player currently out on the course under par, which tells you everything you need to know about the conditions. Gary Woodland hacking down the 14th, a promising round unravelling...
Ian Poulter on Twitter: "I've got 128 miles before I reach my house, 94 miles Of fuel. I wonder if I drive this Jaguar efficiently will it make it without stopping."
Ian Poulter on Twitter: "Ha ha ha reading some of your tweets makes me laugh. Armchair golfers telling me why it didn't work. I'm sure they are all perfect. Ha ha"
1236: Watson did indeed leak that tee shot right but he's got a decent lie from the rough. That is peche de la peche from the old fella, right into the heart of the green at nine. England's Justin Rose kicked off with four straight bogeys today, he's back at +6. Rory on tee, he's playing with Rickie Fowler again today - the American looks like he's just been having a drink in Stockholm's Ice Bar. Peter Uihlein! Splashing in at 10 from a green-side bunker, that's two birdies on the spin, he's back to three over. Fowler flushes one down the fairway, McIlroy tugs his into some wispy stuff left of the fairway...
1229: Watson pings one down the ninth and we think he's leaked it right. Oosthuizen at eight, going with rescue, and he bunts onto the front of the green. Sergio about to get chocs away, but first it's Spencer Levin of the United States who sweeps his drive away. Garcia in some scrub and he slips on the over gloves as he strides down the fairway... Woodland with bogey at 12, back to +2 he goes...
Mark Roe on Radio 5 live: "There is an opportunity with this compacted field for someone to come from the cut line and win the Championship."
1223: Jim Furyk bends one in from 20 feet at seven and is back at +4. US amateur champion Peter Uihlein has nicked a shot back at nine for an outward stretch of 37 and +4 overall. The free-swinging Bubba Watson has parred the first and here he is for birdie at two... comes up just short. Tom Watson for par at eight, from long range... made it! Could it be his year? Surely not. Stenson on 10, 25-footer for par - cosied up, but shot gone, the Swede back to +4. The broad smile tells its own story...
1215: Winds of 30mph+ forecast today and 2cm of rain expected before 4pm. But let's not get too carried away, they're hardly coal miners. I think we can safely say Paul Casey's challenge is over - the Englishman is four over for the day through 13 and seven over overall. Defending champion Oosthuizen (pronounced 'west-hay-zen' - come on chaps, I kow we're British, but it's not that hard...) is two over for his round through six and four over for the tournament.
1211: If you think it's bad in Sandwich, you should be in Salford - it's been sunny all week, tickling the tummies of the BBC newcomers, and then it's gone and kneed us in the jaffers. Horrible. This weather is right up Tom Watson's alley - birdie at seven, he's back to +1 overall and right in the mixer. Australia's Jason Day has parred the first to stay one over.
1204: Many thanks Phil, Ben Dirs in the chair for a few hours now - manually refresh if you would like to see my name at the top of the page. We have a 10 minute hiatus now on the telly while someone on the news talks about Rupert Murdoch. Gary Woodland of the States - who I am reliably informed is the longest hitter in the field - is smashing the place up, he's two under through 11. He's 27, won his first PGA title in March and hails from Kansas - they get a bit of wind there... I've seen the Wizard of Oz...
Michael Vaughan on Twitter: "Clarke loves the wind and rain so should revel in conditions today at Sandwich... Dyson also good in the wind"
1158: Bubba Watson is underway at the first and finds the first cut of rough to the left of the fairway. Jason Day is playing alongside him and he strikes a decent first shot down the fairway. Both players are one over for the tournament. Fowler's attire makes him look somewhat similar to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. They both wore daft hats as well. If Rory's going to stay ahead in the battle of the young guns he could always resort to crossing the streams.
TheJez01 on Twitter: "Ricky Fowler's attire today somewhat akin to that of an asbestos removal operative meets Disneyworld ice cream seller"
1153: Speaking of bad fashion choices, Woodland, sporting a backward turned cap putts to within a few feet to give hinm a simple putt to par the tenth. He's out on his own at the moment with a superb round in such conditions as the only man under par for his round. At the other end is Paul Lawrie, who has bogeyed the 12th and is now nine over overall, six shots worse than his overnight total.
1144: Tom Watson at the par-three sixth. His tee shot gets a nice result, avoiding the trouble and landing 20 feet short on the green. His playing partner Ricky Barnes follows but smashes a low iron shot into the right-hand bunker. Nasty. Just had a little shot of Ricky Fowler's white rain gear. I'm not impressed. Not at all. You can make your own minds up when he takes to the course shortly with Rory McIlroy, who I expect will sport a far more acceptable sartorial style.
1139: Justin Rose has a four-footer to par the third but strikes it too hard and it stays out despite being on target. Henrik Stenson chips to within a foot of the seventh and ends up taking a birdie away with him. The Swede is level today, three over for the tournament. So far today Jung-Gon Hwang has bogeyed all five of the first five holes to go seven over overall. Some comfort for him though is that this is likely to be the norm rather than a mediocre exception.
1130: Immelman is in trouble off to the left of the par-three third via his tee shot. But his next shot is a superb chip to within a few feet and a three now seems a certainty for the South African. Woodland keeps going strong at the ninth, striking his second shot onto the green, but ultimately settles for a par. The American is making this look a lot easier than it is. There are children eating ice cream in the crowd. Ice cream! It's madness I tell ya! Soup is the way forward today people. Or possibly broth. Whatever that is.
Tim HJ, Marlow via text: "re BibiMcBibi at 1037. I am not sure that spider monkeys would be the solution. Having helped my eight-year-old daughter with a recent school project on rain forests, I can confirm that spider monkeys have reduced thumbs and therefore may lack the dexterity necessary to wield a chamois. On the other hand, they could perhaps use their prehensile tails to wipe the camera lenses."
1123: Ricky Barnes approach to the fourth catches the front of the green and rolls back off - a clear insight into the accuracy needed on this course. Tom Watson's third shot to the same hole leaves him a good 15 yards short of the hole. Not a problem for Watson though, who sinks it to stay two over. Millar birdies the 12th to go seven over, but he's got nobody else around to appreciate it. Not a nice day to be playing a round on your own, especially an Aussie used to a far more agreeable climate.
1117: There are plenty of golf umbrellas about, but also a lot of folk without. Correction, a lot of very damp folk without. As it stands American Gary Woodland is the only player in negative figures today, having birdied the fifth and seventh to take him to one over overall. Gregory Havret has a chance from 12 yards to eagle the eighth, but his putt is agonisingly inches short. Oosthuizen and Furyk both his superb approach shots to the third, the former an excellent chip from the rough on the left to within five yards. Furyk sinks his putt to stay three over, as does Oosthuizen, who is a shot better off.
1109: Oosthuizen and Furyk both struggling at the second. They're both wayward of the green after their second shots. Edoardo Molinari three-putts the fifth to drop his first shot of the round. The Italian is now four over. Rose has a tricky eight-footer on the first and taps it right of the hole. The Englishman drops back to three over. Oosthuizen sinks a simple putt from five yards to par the first and stay two over. American Ricky barnes saves par with a wobbly eight-foot putt on the third. As does the evergreen Watson.
1059:An aerial shot of the Kent coastline, shrouded in low-hanging cloud makes it look like the whole event is taking place in a big sweaty tupperware box. Justin Rose's second shot to the first is a poorly hit effort and he skips to the left of the green into the rough. Watson's 15-foot putt for birdie at the second stays a foot or two short. Immelman in even worse shape than Rose at the first, over-shooting his iron past the green and left. Tough up and down from there. Nice Paul Casey approach at the eighth - half a birdie chance there.
1054:Justin Rose, who starts two over, tells BBC One: "In these conditions, I'd take under par. Someone always defies the elements, it's about survival. I'll see how it goes." The Englishman belts the first drive of his round straight down the fairway. Good way to start trying to achieve his aim. Rose is playing alongside Trevor Immelman, who also hits a good first shot to start his round. Oosthuizen sinks a simple four-foot putt for par at the first, while Choi sinks a birdie putt at the seventh to go back to five over. Super bunker escape from Tom Watson at the second, landing it 15 foot from the pin.
1049: Watson follows up his opening par by dipping into a bunker on the second fairway. Bad place to be for the veteran. Meanwhile, at the fifth, Havret sinks an absolute belter putt from range at the fifth for a birdie. The Frenchman is one over for the day, four over for the tournament. Over at the fourth Edoardo Molinari sinks a putt for par and remains three over. Just to let you know, while the TV coverage continues the prep, you can watch live coverage on this website by clicking the video at the top of this page. Don't worry about adjusting your viewer settings, that's just the Kent weather.
Peter Alliss on BBC One: "I'm glad I'll be sitting in the commentary box rather than strolling out there on the course today, such is the weather. Today is going to be one for patience and I can't see very many breaking par. I still think four under will win this Championship."
1043: Tom Watson is underway and hits a lovely little chip from a tricky position on the edge of the green to put the ball within decent putting distance. The American is two over and stays there after making his putt. Ricky Barnes was in the green in regulation but misses his par putt. Meanwhile Louis Oosthuizen and Jim Furyk are beginning their round. Both hit good opening drives and head off into the madness that awaits.
BibiMcBibi on Twitter: "Solution to the wet camera problem: Small spider monkeys holding chamois leathers should be strapped to the top of the camera"
1037: It gets worse for Casey. He has a six-foot par putt on the sixth but never looks like making it and he drops a further shot back. Lawries strikes a minor blow back by sinking a slightly curling 15-yard effort into the hole for a birdie three at the seventh. He's now six over. There are some serious golf fans braving the elements in the stands, clutching umbrellas that may well be sailing over Kent shortly. The wind is vicious.
1025: Paul Casey now five over after dropped shots at the fourth and fifth. The 495-yard par-four fourth hole in particular is claiming some victims this morning. The current average is six shots a golfer on the hole, with four players making double bogeys.
Britain's world number four tennis player Andy Murray on Twitter: "Matthew Millar from australia is playing the last round of the open on his tod!?!? Am I seeing that right? I find that strange! Talk about having to create your own atmosphere...."
BBC Radio 5 Live's Mark Pougatch on Twitter: "My umbrella lasted about 3 minutes before it folded in the Sandwich storm like England's middle order against the Aussies in the mid 90s..."
BBC golf commentator Ken Brown:"Without a doubt, driving accuracy is going to be key, it's critical today. The players will be lucky to drive 250 yards. The weather is grim, extreme, nasty, but if you can get a couple of 70s, you might be thinking 'this trophy could be mine'."
1016: Pity the fool who has the temerity to take a shot from this course. KJ Choi is dragged back the wrong side of par courtesy of a double bogey on the fourth. The beast is stirring to life and showing its claws.
1011: Sandwich has taken a big bite out of Paul Lawrie. He has had an absolute stinker on the fourth, triple bogeying the blighter. He's also dropped a further shot on the fifth to go eight over. It's looking like it's going to be a long day for a few of the fellas out there. However, Dutchman Floris De Vries has made a positive start, picking up a shot on the second to take him to two over. Edorado Molinari and Henrik Stenson are both underway.
1008: Just to let you all know, we now have coverage on BBC One. Repeat, we now have coverage on BBC One. Not that I want you to leave me. Double up with the lap top and TV. You know, multi-task.
1005: If TheJez01's forecast is correct, poor Charles Howell III and Rory Sabbatini can expect to be hit by the worst Kent has to offer when they take to the first tee. It's gonna be like Clooney and Wahlberg in Perfect Storm.
Ominous news from TheJez01 on Twitter: "Here in Bexhill-on-sea it's lashing it down and blowing a hooley. Sandwich will get it in 2 hours or less. Then the fun begins..."
1000: Steady start from England's Paul Casey. The world number 14 has pared the first three holes to maintain his overnight score of three over.
0955: Few more tee-offs to keep you abreast of. American duo Ryan Moore and Gary Woodland are away, followed by Englishman Simon Khan and Gregory Havret of France. Weather's holding up for the time being. A bit of drizzle and some healthy wind. Could be the calm before the storm.
sportmad19 on Twitter: "7 of the last 11 winners of #theopen have been leading after 54 holes and only Cink in 09 (T6) was outside the top5."
0948: KJ Choi birdies the second to go to two over. But it's a disaster for Matthew Millar on the fourth, who cards a double bogey. The Aussie now five over.
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgettsbrings you plenty of 140th Open-based facts from his base at Sandwich: "Biggest hitter in the field? Gary Woodland with 334.5yd ave. Made cut on the number. Shortest? Pablo Larrazabal - 257yds. He's tied 7th." "Most accurate? YE Yang with 75% of fairways hit. He's level par. Least accurate? Rickie Fowler at 25%. He's also level par."
"Best at reaching green in regulation ie in 1 on par 3, 2 on par 4, 3 on par 5: Rory Sabbatini (+1) at 78%. Worst? Steve Stricker (E) at 47%."
0939: Sorry Paul, I shouldn't have been so blase about Royal St George's. The course bites back as Lawrie drops a shot at the par-three third to drop back to four over.
Chris B in Nantwich, Cheshire via text: "If Garcia can get his putting going he has a great chance but all those 10-15ft misses yesterday could be so costly. I have a feeling somebody will shoot a 65 today so you have been warned!"
0934: Lawrie and Bourdy have followed Millar with pars of their own at the first. Not a dropped shot yet. Easy this links golf thing. Paul Casey and KJ Choi up next.
0931: There's a fair few hours yet before the leaders takes to the course, but for all you Clarke fans out there, here's a chance to re-live one of the highlights of his second round - a monster putt on the seventh green for eagle. My brother holed a few huge putts yesterday during a round with me and my dad. He played to 12. He called it the "round of his life". I call it a serious reason to question his handicap.
0923: Solid start to the day for Matthew Millar, who notches up a par on the opening par-four first. As the Aussie makes his way to the second, Scot Paul Lawrie and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy limber up at the start of their round, ready to take on this cunning Kent course.
Colin Young on Twitter: "Right bring it on, let the fun begin. Scary number of US players near the top of the leaderboard."
0913: There's one particular highlight from yesterday worthy of picking out on its own. Have yourselves a watch of American Tom Watson's superb hole-in-one at the par-three sixth. And admire the classy restrained celebration of a man who knows he's just done something special.
0908: Just in case you missed any of the main action from yesterday, or if you need a quick recap of what went on, check out our day two highlights.
0903: The leaders - Clarke and Glover - don't get underway until 1505 BST, but here's a selection of other tee times to keep you informed of: Paul Casey starts at 0915 along with KJ Choi, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler tee off at 1235 and Tom Lewis is with Phil Mickelson at 1350. For the full list, see here.
0855: We're about to get underway with Australian Matthew Millar playing the part of lone pioneer for the third round. He'll play on his own, starting from a score of three over.
0854: There are plenty of very big names who won't be coming to the fore though, with the cut having claimed some high profile victims. The world's number one, two, nine and 16 are all gone as Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter are all forced to watch enviously from the sidelines. Also absent from the last two days are the man who broke Bjorn's heart in 2003, American Ben Curtis, two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington and 2001 winner David Duval.
0852: Day one was all about young Tom's amateur dramatics and elder Thomas partially laying some 2003 Sandwich ghosts to rest. Day two saw Lucas Glover share the lead with a Northern Irishman. No, not that Northern Irishman. Or that one. Yes, Darren Clarke, who shot a 68 to go four under with the 2009 US Open champion. But we're heading into the business end of matters now and with a congested leaderboard, a challenging course and even more challenging weather forecast there's plenty of scope for other names to come to the fore.
0850: Now then. So who fancies a lazy Saturday watching some Open Championship golf?
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