Jordan Spieth plays himself back in contention at British Open

So Jordan Spieth was out of contention at the British Open, right? Five strokes back of Dustin Johnson, who was showing no let up. No way to make up that much ground.

Well, he did, and a little more.

Spieth went low in Sunday’s third round, firing a 6-under 66 to vault himself from 5-under, 5 strokes back to 11-under and the clubhouse lead.

There are still plenty of players on the course and ample numbers to be had – St. Andrews is giving away birdies like Bed Bath and Beyond 15-percent off coupons – and Danny Willett, Jason Day and amateur Paul Dunne sit atop the leaderboard at 12-under with a lot of golf still to play, but Spieth did what he had to do, and will at least have a shot at a third straight major and, yes, keeping those Grand Slam hopes alive.

Spieth carded seven birdies on his round, though will likely be smarting over two missed opportunities: a bogey at 9, one of the easiest holes on the course, and a par at 18, where he needed three strokes to get home from less than 100 yards.

With a packed leaderboard – at the moment there are more than a dozen players 9-under or better – no one can afford to give away strokes.

Regardless, Spieth is right there, staring down (for the moment) at everyone but Willett, Day and Dunne.