SOUTHPORT, England – South Korean KJ Choi stayed in front despite howling, gale-force winds early in the British Open third round on Saturday.

A compact, reliable swing proved his best ally as the world number 11 chalked up four successive pars to remain one under par, two strokes ahead of champion Padraig Harrington.

Overnight leader Choi, aiming to become the first Asian male to win a major, holed out grittily from 15 feet for a par-three at the short fourth just when the 72-kph (45-mph) gusts looked ready to blow him off course for the first time.

With trousers billowing and caps flying across the Birkdale links layout, birdies were almost as rare as a solar eclipse as the 83-strong field took a battering in the wind.

Harrington, without a European Tour victory since he captured the coveted Claret Jug at Carnoustie 12 months ago, boosted his hopes when birdies at the fifth and seventh left him one over par for the championship.

The 36-year-old Irishman broke into a trademark grin when he sank his birdie opportunity from 10 feet at the par-three seventh.

Australian Greg Norman, 53, attempting to become the oldest winner of a major, was in third place on two over after bogeying two of his first three holes.

Camilo Villegas of Colombia was a further stroke adrift on three over par through five holes, one ahead of American Jim Furyk after six.

But the round of the day came from former British Open champion Ben Curtis.

SURPRISE WINNER

The American, a surprise winner of the 2003 edition at Royal St George's, battled his way to a level-par 70 to earn the clubhouse lead on 217, seven over.

Curtis defied the elements with a magical outward half of 31 which included two birdies and an eagle two, the American holing his 165-yard, nine-iron approach on the par-four third.

The man who came in under the radar to snatch the title five years ago said his golden shot was a touch lucky.

“I heeled it a little bit and thought it was going right, into the greenside bunker,” Curtis told reporters. “Luckily it held its line and I thought it might be all right but when we walked forward they were going crazy.”

Ryder Cup player Paul Casey said it was on the greens where the early starters were experiencing most problems.

“The balls are moving on the greens,” said the Briton after a round of 73 gave him a tally of 222. “I had one move on the eighth today.

“They are certainly oscillating and it makes it very, very difficult. Looking at the scores I cannot believe I am being interviewed. That makes you realise how difficult it is out there.”

(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)