The Open 2021 news: How low will they go? Oosthuizen, Morikawa, Spieth, Rahm and Johnson eye records, Saturday tee times

Updated 18/07/2021 at 05:48 GMT

Louis Oosthuizen's new record 36-hole total in Open Championship history of 129 around Royal St George's in Kent is unlikely to be the last landmark to tumble at the season's final major with 25 players starting the third round on Saturday within eight strokes of the leader. Oosthuizen is two clear of 2020 US PGA winner Collin Morikawa on 11 under. The leaders go out at 3:55pm (BST) on Saturday.

Jon Rahm of Spain plays his shot from the 18th tee as Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa looks on during Day Two of the 149th The Open Championship at Royal St. Georges Golf Club on July 16, 2021 in Sandwich, England.

Image credit: Eurosport

Louis Oosthuizen set the lowest 36-hole total in Open Championship history on Friday, but more records could tumble this weekend at a sun-drenched Sandwich as several of the world's elite golfers chase the Claret Jug in the glorious Kent weather.

Oosthuizen dropped his first and only shot at the par-three 16th hole on Friday evening with rounds of 64 and 65 seeing him hold a two-shot lead over 2020 US PGA champion Collin Morikawa on 11 under at the halfway stage of the season's final major.

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With Royal St George's ripe for birdies in such benign, sunny conditions bereft of strong winds and rain, it is not difficult to envisage more records tumbling over the next two days at the par-70 course.

2014 Open winner Rory McIlroy moved from level par to four under after the first nine holes of his third round on Saturday to illustrate the possibilities for the later starters.

Defending champion Shane Lowry – who is still in contention at four under ahead of the third round – holds the record total for 54 holes of 197 set two years ago at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, but 2010 winner Oosthuizen could beat that number with a round of 67 on Saturday.

Henrik Stenson's 20-under total of 264 in his victory at Royal Troon in 2016 also appears to be under threat with Oostuizen needing two rounds of 67 to usurp the Swede, but others could emerge from the chasing pack to threaten those landmarks with 2017 champion Jordan Spieth only three off top spot on eight under.

Rory McIlroy enjoys the sun at Sandwich.

Image credit: Eurosport

Branden Grace's major low of 62 in the third round at Royal Birkdale four years ago would appear to be tangible while the course record of 63 – set by Nick Faldo and matched by Payne Stewart at the 122nd Open in 1993 – is also an obvious target over the closing 36 holes.

Oosthuizen and Open debutant Morikawa head out in the heat at 3:55pm (BST) in the final group on Saturday, but Dustin Johnson (seven under), US Open champion Jon Rahm (five under) and four-times major winner Brooks Koepka (five under) are elite names with high hopes of chasing down the leaders.