SOUTHPORT (England) - IN THE absence of world number one Tiger Woods through injury, Greg Norman has delivered a powerful and unexpected storyline at the British Open.

A part-time golfer now aged 53, the Australian overshadowed the game's best players by taking a two-shot lead after Saturday's third round and is poised to win a third major title 15 years after his last.

Norman, bidding to become golf's oldest major champion, decided to play at Royal Birkdale only two months ago in order to prepare for next week's British Senior Open at Royal Troon.

'Obviously I've practised and put myself in position for this week. To experience the British Open the way we have this week on a great golf course like this has obviously tuned me up both mentally and physically.

'But if Troon is like this then I will really be tired at the end of next week.'

Asked what he would have said if told three months ago he would hold the 54-hole lead at Birkdale, he replied with a smile: 'Oh, really?'.

A winner of 78 tournaments in 13 countries, Norman conceded his mindset was totally different from when he reigned as the game's top player.

Different mindset
'It is different, no question,' he said. 'The players here are probably saying: 'My God, what's he doing up there?.

'At the same time these guys have known I have played golf before and I've played successful golf before. I think it's a great indicator for every player, whether you're just coming on the tour for the first year or you're turning 40 or in your 50s.

'If you go in there with the right attitude and keep yourself physically fit you can put yourself in that position no matter what.

'If I'm a young kid, seeing a guy at 53 leading the British Open and I'm only 18, I'm going to say: 'Boy, I've got a lot of years left in my career'. I think it's great I really do.'

Norman, who married former tennis great Chris Evert in the Bahamas last month, said his relaxed approach this week reflected the near-perfect balance of his life.

'I have played well enough to put myself in this position,' said the Australian, the British Open champion at Turnberry in 1986 and Royal St George's in 1993.

'That comes from a good, safe, happy mind in a lot of ways.

'I'm very content in my mind but at the same time I have the lead now so I'm going to go out there with the same mindset tomorrow and it's going to be tough again.

'You've got to stay focused and stay in the present of whatever you're doing.'