Garcia stumbles Open door to Romero

Sergio Garcia today threw the Open Championship wide open on a thrilling final day at Carnoustie.

Garcia began the day three shots clear of the field and a strong favourite to lift his first major title and end a European major drought stretching back 31 events to Paul Lawrie's win here in 1999.

A birdie at the third then briefly took him four ahead before a run of three bogeys in four holes set up a nailbiting finish.

With eight holes to play Garcia shared the lead with Ryder Cup team-mate and Argentina's Andres Romero on seven under par, one ahead of South African Ernie Els.

Australian Richard Green had earlier set a testing clubhouse target as Tiger Woods' bid for a third straight win fizzled out.

Green carded a brilliant closing 64 to equal the course record and lowest round ever in an Open at Carnoustie, matching the feat of Steve Stricker yesterday.

A bogey on the last cost Green a 63 and share of the lowest round ever in a major, the left-hander finishing with a five under total of 279.