Spieth laments great expectations after more Open toil

Jordan Spieth's Open struggles continued in the third round, but the American was quick to stress people might be expecting too much of him.

Jordan Spieth (left)..."most of the questions I get are comparing to last year and, therefore, negative because it's not to the same standard."

Jordan Spieth's Open struggles continued in the third round, but the American was quick to stress people might be expecting too much of him. The 22-year-old narrowly made the cut after an error-strewn 75 on Friday, during which he hit just 43 per cent of fairways in wet and windy conditions.

Things started well on Saturday as the two-time major winner was four under for the round through seven holes. The troublesome back nine struck again, though, as the American signed for a one-over-par 72 that left him five over for the tournament and it was a mildly aggrieved Spieth who addressed the media after to discuss the general state of his game.

"For me I set the expectations high for myself, but I feel like I've been getting a little more frustrated off the golf course than normal," said Spieth, who won the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015.

"I think it's been a solid year and I think had last year not happened I'd be having a lot of positive questions. Instead most of the questions I get are comparing to last year and, therefore, negative because it's not to the same standard.

"So I think that's a bit unfair to me, but don't feel sorry for me. I'll still be okay. But I would appreciate if people would look at the positives over comparing to maybe hopefully what would happen to me a few times in my career a year like last year. Or I would say a few times it's happened less than a dozen times to anybody in golf ever in a year. So it seems a bit unfair at 22 to be expecting something like that all the time."

Despite the wind continuing to play a part at the weekend, several players managed to make gains after going out early. Brandt Snedeker and Haydn Porteous shot 68, while world number one Jason Day hit the turn four under for the day.

Former U.S. Open champion Justin Rose, who endured a frustrating second-round 77, clawed back some ground with four birdies and a solitary bogey across the first 15. The leading contenders start to head out from 1300BST onwards, with leader Phil Mickelson and playing partner Henrik Stenson last to tee off at 1520.