British Open Topped by Overdue Leaders

The British Open has two unlikely leaders going into the final round. However, while Darren Clarke and Dustin Johnson aren't as famous as Rory McIlroy or Phil Mickelson, the two have waited for this for some time. Last year's British Open was won by total unknown Louis Oosthuizen, but this year's event is shaping up for Clarke or Johnson to have an overdue breakthrough.

Clarke is the latest major leader to emerge from Northern Ireland, which already has McIlroy and Graeme McDowell as recent champions. But the 43-year-old Clarke is almost twice as old as McIlroy, yet hasn't had a top 10 finish at a major in over a decade. However, after a two-decade long career, this may finally be his breakthrough.

Most expected a Northern Ireland golfer to win the British Open, yet everyone thought it would be McIlroy. So it would be extra coincidence if Clarke won, although older golfers like Tom Watson and Kenny Perry haven't held up in the last round at majors lately.

His closest competition is a player who is all too used to heartbreak at this stage. Johnson is best known for two final round mishaps in 2010, as he shot 11 over in the final round of last year's U.S. Open despite leading after 54 holes. To add insult to injury, a controversial penalty kept him out of a playoff at the PGA Championship months later.

Will the third time be the charm for Johnson? If it is, then it will be a great victory for American golf, as no one from the USA has won in the last several majors. That is an uncommonly long drought for America, although it had Mickelson and Tiger Woods to bail it out in the last decade, and doesn't have that kind of luck these days.

Clarke and Johnson have survived the elements to get ahead, especially on Saturday, when they benefited from clearer skies than most had. In fact, Clarke is the only one to shoot in the 60's in all three days, and one more performance like that should wrap up the Claret Jug.

Yet while he and Johnson have waited a while for this day, Thomas Bjorn has waited eight years, after his collapse at the 2003 Open at Royal St. George's. This could be his day of redemption, yet he has struggled after his opening round 65. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Rickie Fowler looks for a star-making turn, while Lucas Glover tries to add to his 2009 U.S. Open crown, and Martin Kaymer will attempt to overtake Johnson like he did in last year's PGA.

The British Open doesn't have superstars on top, like most majors these days. But it's is still crowded with notable names, or at least notable story lines, and one of them will end up with the Claret Jug this afternoon.

Sources

Yahoo Sports- "The Open Championship- Leaderboard"

CBS Sports- "Ireland's major success defies explanation, but its no fluke"