Fighting strong winds that almost delayed round three at the British Open at Birkdale the unlikely story of Greg Norman continued to be written as the 53-year-old legend carded a two-over 72 on Saturday to carry a two-stroke lead heading into Sunday’s final round.

The 40 mph gusts played havoc with the game of every golfer, not one playing under par in Saturday’s conditions.

Norman carries his two-stroke lead over Padraig Harrington, last year's champion, and KJ Choi. The Irishman fired a 72 on Saturday while Choi hit a 75. Simon Wakefield finished even on the day to move to within three of the lead.

Norman hasn’t won a major since 1993, an Open victory at Royal St George’s, and is now on the brink of becoming the oldest winner of a major.

Heading into Saturday’s third round it was difficult to define the bigger story, Norman or former champion and world number one David Duval. After Friday’s 69 Duval had climbed back into contention but Saturday’s 13-over knocked him out of any chance of contention.