HEREFORD golfer David Park was just four shots off the lead as the third day of the 131st Open Championship got underway at Muirfield.

The 28-year-old shot a fine four-under-par 67 yesterday, including five birdies, to rocket him up the leaderboard after his 73 on day one.

Park's joy, however, was in stark contrast to John Bickerton's emotions after the Droitwich ace bowed out of the tournament.

The 32-year-old missed the cut by one stroke, finishing three over after a second round 72.

"You've got to take advantage of the opportunities for birdies and make them, but I didn't," said Bickerton. "I hit a bad shot on the sixth, three-putted and ended up with a double bogey and then bogeyed the ninth, which you can't afford to do out there.

"There was not a lot to shout about, I didn't putt well so I have no complaints."

There is a five-way tie at the top of the leaderboard with Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Shigeki Murayama, Duffy Waldorf and Bob Tway all six under par.

Ominously poised just two shots behind the lead, Tiger Woods is in company with fellow former Open champions Nick Price and Mark O'Meara, and Scotland's Colin Montgomerie who returned the round of the day, 64.