TURNBERRY, Scotland (AP) — Fifty-nine-year-old Tom Watson made the turn in the third round of the British Open holding a one-stroke lead over England's Ross Fisher on Saturday, staying on course to become the oldest major champion in golf history.

Watson, a five-time Open champion, closed the front side at Turnberry with a bogey at No. 9, missing an 8-foot putt after his approach shot skidded off the back of the green.

But he had the lead all to himself with a 4-under total through 45 holes.

Par was a good score on this day. A stiff breeze off the Irish Sea whipped across the course, toughening things up considerably on the sort of warm, sunny day that led to this seaside spot to be dubbed ``the sunshine coast of Scotland.''

The weather surely brought back memories for Watson, who defeated Jack Nicklaus in the epic ``Duel in the Sun'' in 1977, when the Open first came to Turnberry. Watson also won golf's oldest championship in 1975, '80, '82 and '83 – providing the bulk of his eight major titles.

Now he's making a run at an improbable No. 9 – just three years before he's eligible to start drawing Social Security.

Watson parred the first five holes, took a bogey at No. 6, then made a two-putt birdie at the par-5 eighth. He was 1-over 36 at the turn – then again, no one in the top 10 was under par for the day.

Steve Marino, who was tied with Watson for the 36-hole lead, was among the group two shots back after a horrendous start. The 29-year-old American had three straight bogeys and a double bogey over the first five holes, knocking his overall score back to even par.

But Marino calmed his nerves with a virtual tap-in eagle at No. 8 and was 2 under at the turn.

Fisher shot 35 on the front side, his only stumble coming at No. 5 when he missed a short par putt.

Mark Calcavecchia, who won the Open 20 years ago right up the road at Troon, also had a shot at becoming the oldest major winner ever. The 49-year-old American was one stroke back at the start of the round and only two behind after a 37 over the outward nine.

Julius Boros holds the record for oldest major champion. He was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA title.

Padraig Harrington's hopes for a third straight Open title faded away with a dismal 6-over 76. The Irishman had hoped to make a run at becoming the first player since Peter Thomson in 1954-56 to win the claret jug three years in a row.

But Harrington was never in serious contention after an opening 69, and a trio of three-putt holes ruined any chances of making a weekend run. He was at 9-over 219.