Norman conquest on cards at Birkdale

By Tony Jimenez

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Greg Norman stood on the verge of one of the most remarkable achievements in sport after overcoming howling, gale-force winds to grab the third-round lead at the British Open on Saturday.

The Australian, trying to rewrite the record books by becoming golf's oldest major champion at the age of 53, battled his way to a 72 and a two-over tally of 212 on a day when most of the field were blown off course by gusts of 72-kph (45-mph).

Sharing second place on 214 were Norman's playing partner and overnight leader KJ Choi of South Korea (75) and champion Padraig Harrington (72).

One stroke further adrift was British journeyman Simon Wakefield, who equalled the day's best round with a level-par 70. In joint fifth spot on 217 were Americans Ben Curtis and Anthony Kim, Briton Ross Fisher and Alexander Noren of Sweden.

"I'd put that in the top three hardest rounds I have ever played under those circumstances," Norman told reporters.

"The wind was so heavy and so strong, it was just brutal."

Norman, who married tennis great Chris Evert last month, hardly hit a fairway all day but kept errors to a minimum.

With his wife standing by the 18th green, he drew gasps from the crowd when a tricky chip from behind a bunker narrowly missed the cup.