It has been a very dull and wet morning at Carnoustie. A deluge at 5am has been followed by steady rain.

The early starters have definitely had the worst of the weather.

None of the first thirty players out are under par but the weather is forecast to brighten up this afternoon.

The damp conditions have left the greens slow and receptive and with little breeze there is every chance the later starters can post some decent scores.

The wind has changed round for the first time this week and is coming out of the South. It makes Carnoustie a different golf course to the one the players have faced so far this week.

The front nine is a lot more difficult and players will be forced into to playing more aggressively from the tee. There will be a lot more pressure on driving accuracy as the wet rough is very difficult to play from.

On the other hand the finishing holes will be playing at their easiest so don't expect any Jean Van de Velde style collapses this year.

The conditions are not difficult enough to really trouble the best players in the world.

Sergio Garcia has cleverly plotted his way round Carnoustie over the first three days and mature course management skills will be the key to winning the Claret Jug.

It may seem like a two horse race with only Steve Stricker within three shots of Sergio and the rest of the field at least six shots behind but conditions are such that somebody can post a score around eight under to put a little pressure on the last pair.

Sergio has converted a final round lead seven times from twelve attempts and though not noted as a closer that is a pretty good record. The Open is really his to win or lose.

Below are the hole averages from the first three rounds: