Chip Lutz poses with champion Bernhard Langer

The Pennsylvanian, paired today with Woody Austin and Paul Wesselingh, went out strong with a birdie on No. 2. But a tough stretch immediately after of bogey-double-bogey took away Lutz' momentum and he wasn't able to find any magic the rest of the day as he posted an 8-over 79.

Still, his tournament total of 301 was 4-shots clear of Randy Haag, the only other amateur to survive the 36-hole cut. (Survive being the operative word - the conditions were so brutal on Friday that one former PGA Tour winner carded a 96.) The Californian made up some ground with a 74 on Sunday.

Both players will head to Sunningdale, England for the British Senior Amateur, which starts August 9.

Don't bet against Lutz, who is the defending champion and will have a chance to rest, while staying acclimated to the time zone and the conditions. Maybe Lutz got a chance to ask Sir Nick Faldo for some tips on Sunningdale -- Faldo finished two strokes in front of Lutz at 299.

ROUND 3 RECAP

On day three of the Senior Open Championship at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Chip Lutz carded an even-par 71 to remain at 9-over for the tournament.

Lutz, who made the cut following rounds of 77-74, got off to a quick start in the third round on Saturday with a front nine 2-under 33. After a bogey on No. 3 Lutz began lighting things up with a 6th hole birdie before adding two more birds on Nos. 8 and 9.

The Reading, PA native lost some momentum early on the back nine with a double-bogey on No. 12 and then bogeys on Nos. 13 and 16 but he was able to finish with authority as he birdied the final two holes. Lutz will begin Sunday in 43rd place and he will be playing alongside Woody Austin and Paul Wesselingh.

The group will begin on No. 10 at 7:40 am local time.

Randy Haag, the only other amateur to make the cut, signed for a 5-over 76 on Saturday and he will begin the last round in 77th place with an 18-over tally. Haag of Orinda, CA had a couple of tough stretches on Saturday but he was also able to birdie twice, first on No. 5 and then again on No. 15.

For Haag, his final round will begin at 9:40 am off the 10th tee and his playing partners will be Terry Price and James Kingston.