DAVID Drysdale got over his first-tee nerves to post a score of 66 on his third round at the Open at Royal Birkdale, writes Graeme Macpherson. The only other Scot beyond Richie Ramsay still left in the championship, the man from Edinburgh made the most of the benign conditions to record an impressive birdie-laden round, marred only by bogeys at the first and the last. Having only scraped in above the cut line, Drysdale was glad he made the most out of the opportunity to score low.

“I’m proud of myself,” said the 42 year-old. “I’m maybe half-lucky to even be here for the weekend but pleased that the bad weather stuck around on Friday afternoon to get me in. I was annoyed at the time with my finish as I dropped two shots in the last three holes and I was a bit peeved at the time. But I knew if the bad weather hung about on Friday evening I’d have a great chance of making it in.

“I was a little bit nervous on the tee and didn’t make the best effort down the first. And then had a poor bogey to finish. But in between I played a lot of good golf and made a lot of good chances. So I’m pretty happy.

“It’s weird that I was nervous on the first tee today as I’ve not been nervous at all. It’s just when my name is announced on that tee! When I walk out I’m fine and then for those 30 seconds before you peg it up I’m a bit nervous. It’s a bit weird. I just want to enjoy [today] and see what happens. I’ve been playing some decent stuff of late and I’ll try do the same things and get the ball to the hole.”

A boisterous Birkdale crowd added to the experience. “The support I got today was incredible,” he added. “The grandstand at the first was full at half past eight in the morning, an hour before the first game.

“I played at Turnberry in 2009 and got a fantastic support and this is just incredible too. All the grandstands are full and they are seven or eight deep at the ropes. You feed off that. You’re focused most of the time but I made some nice putts and the roar on number seven when I made my birdie was the loudest I’ve ever heard. These are the things you take away with you.”

His wife Vicky has again been carrying the bag and doubling up with regular emotional support. “She gives me the boot up the behind that I need. She’s so positive – the opposite of me! There’s been no matrimonial strife as yet. Those are the only five hours [on the course] when I’m the boss!”