SUPER Spaniard Sergio Garcia continued to motor towards his first Open Championship triumph at Carnoustie today.

Garcia, who has led from the front since day one's outstanding 65 on the difficult Angus course, has extended the two-shot lead he held on Friday to three ahead of Sunday's final round.

With the galleries applauding his every move, as the British crowd tried their best to push the front-runner onto become the first European to win a major since 1999, the Iberian was in fantastic mood.

And after finishing with a 68, three under par, in difficult conditions this evening, Garcia now holds a comfortable lead from the American Steve Stricker going into the fourth round.

Stricker's 64 - equalling Colin Montgomerie's course record - suggests he will be keen to keep up the chase in second place on 207.

While a further three shots back lie a clutch of seven others, includind Ernie Els, Chris DiMarco, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley.

World number one Tiger Woods, whose 69 was an improvement on Friday's 74, would appear to be out of the running on 212 - eight shots adrift of Garcia.