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American Horschel leads British Open on wild day of rain and big numbers

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Billy Horschel with his short sleeves in the chill and his brilliant short game at Royal Troon somehow held on for a 2-under 69 and a one-shot lead in a British Open that got turned upside down and every other possible way Saturday.

The rain started before the leading players teed off and only got stronger. The wind was relentless and into the players' faces on the brute of a back nine, leaving the world's best to hit fairway metals into par 4s — and they still couldn't reach the green. "That's the hardest nine holes I think you could ever play in golf right now," said Dustin Johnson, a former world No.

1 with two majors. He shot 72 and was five behind. It was as tough as it gets and Horschel was up to the task with a series of marvellous par saves down the stretch from the rough and from pot bunkers.

Shane Lowry couldn't say the same, and the frustration was evident. Lowry, who showed his game is built for links golf when he won at Royal Portrush five years ago, had a three-shot lead early and then fell apart.

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