By Phil Casey, PA Sport

Scott McCarron, who drank from the Claret Jug last week, could get his hands on the trophy again on Sunday after an amazing third day of the Open championship at Muirfield.

McCarron defied the driving wind and rain to card a highly-creditable 72, nine shots better than Tiger Woods, to finish two under par and right in contention for a first Major title.

His unorthodox use of the Claret Jug came last week on a fishing and golfing trip in Ireland with Woods, Mark O'Meara and David Duval.

"My birthday was last week and David showed up with the Claret Jug so we had a few drinks out of it," said McCarron, beaten finalist in this year's World Matchplay Championship.

"After having a few drinks I thought this would be great, if I had this drink I would have every drink for a year out of it."

The 37-year-old American, playing only his second Open - he missed the cut at Troon in 1997 - added: "I thought it was a great day today.

"I had four different jackets in the bag and my caddie thought we were going to have to take a trolley just to carry my extra clothing. I think I went through about all of it by the fourth hole, I was completely drenched.

"It really started blowing sideways and raining hard. To shoot one over on a day like today I'm very happy obviously. This is the British Open, this is the way the weather was supposed to be, so we were kind out of out there having fun."