16 July 2011 15:12 GMT

Louis Oosthuizen has not given up hope of retaining the Open title he claimed in such style 12 months ago.

The 28 year-old from Pinnacle Point, South Africa, carded a battling 74 to go into the final round on six over par 216 and then said he still has a chance, provided the weather remains inclement for the rest of the day.

“I’m a long way back,” he said. “It depends what everyone does out there. But, at the moment, if the weather stays like this, it’s still possible. If I can get within six shots, I think I’ve got a chance.”

Oosthuizen said that he thought the par for the course this morning was about 74 and admitted he was pleased with his round. “Yeah, I made lots of up-and-downs today, that’s crucial.

“I went through four gloves and four towels out there,” he added. “To be honest, I had to laugh because i have never played in conditions like this. Whenever you have a social round, and it starts raining a little bit, you say ‘I’m out of here boys’, but I couldn’t do that today.

“It’s a tough contest. But, all in all, it’s the same for everyone, so that’s Open golf.”