SOUTHPORT, England — If you never had heard of Austin Connelly before this week’s British Open, you aren’t alone.

Connelly is a 20-year-old friend of Jordan Spieth’s who lives in Dallas, is coached by Spieth’s coach, Cameron McCormick, represented by Spieth’s agent and has citizenship in Canada through his father, who is Canadian, and because he has spent summers in Nova Scotia.

He also is tied for third place at the British Open, his first career major, entering Sunday’s final round at 5-under after shooting 66 on Saturday at Royal Birkdale.

One person who was not surprised at Connelly’s sudden success is Spieth.

“I’ve known Austin for quite a while, played quite a bit of golf with him,’’ Spieth said. “He’s got a great head. He’s got a killer instinct. He’s a guy that’s not afraid of the moment, as you can tell. He’s got a day [Sunday] where not only can he win a major championship, but it can do a lot for him in a lot of different areas.

“I think he embraces that. That would scare a lot of people off. And I wouldn’t expect that. It’s cool to see.’’

Connelly said he “never felt nerves from the first tee on, which is surprising to me.

“I was very calm,’’ he said. “This something I’ve been dreaming about and picturing myself here for a long time. It’s really just nice to be here.’’

Rory McIlroy looked like he was ready to make a huge move Saturday, with three birdies on his first five holes pushing him to 4-under. But he could not keep it going, finishing at 2-under after shooting 69.

“I’ve always been good when I get off to fast starts being able to keep it going, and I didn’t [Saturday],’’ McIlroy said. “I needed to, that’s the disappointing thing. I definitely feel like [Saturday] was an opportunity lost to get right in the mix going into [Sunday] . I need to pick myself up, play a good round and hope for some bad weather, hope for some guys to struggle. And we’ll see what happens.’’

Ian Poulter’s magic wore out Saturday as he failed to make a move, shooting 1-over to stand at 2-under, nine shots off the lead. His round began poorly with a three-putt on the first hole and it was a struggle from there.

“A real shame,’’ he said. “I tried to get some adrenaline going, and I just threw them away. … Too many stupid mistakes. I made one bogey [Friday] in all the treacherous conditions we had. I make five bogeys [Saturday]. It’s not good enough. I’m [ticked] off. Don’t know what else to say.’’

It has been quite a week for Tommy Fleetwood, the Southport native who used to sneak onto Birkdale as a kid with his dad. Considered one of the tournament favorites going in, Fleetwood looked headed for an early exit after an opening-round 76.

But he rallied Friday with a 69, one of just seven rounds under par for the day. On Saturday, he shot a 4-under 66.

“I was glad to be making the weekend after the first round,’ Fleetwood said. “[Friday] was one of the best rounds of the year, and it just gave me a chance to play two more days. After a good one [Saturday], if I have another good one, we’ll see where it ends up.

“It would have been pretty rubbish staying home for the weekend.’’

Paul Casey lauded the No. 1-ranked Dustin Johnson for having “a great mind.’’

“He doesn’t get enough credit for his short game and his attitude on the golf course is really cool,’’ he said. “Flawless. Just kind of wanders around and looks very casual, but he’s a smart golfer. He’s clearly, I think, the world’s best player. Dustin always has a swagger. It’s just a Dustin swagger. It’s not more or less. It’s the same swagger if it’s double-bogey as it is from an eagle. And that’s what is really cool about Dustin Johnson.’’

Alfie Plant, the only amateur to make the cut, shot 69 Saturday and is 3-over entering the final round.

“I’ve had a week of enjoyable days,’’ he said. “One more [Sunday] will be great.

Among Plant’s gallery this week has been his girlfriend, Daisy Meadows. Plant spoke of his intention to marry her, which would make her Daisy Plant. The gardening theme was not lost on Plant.

“Yeah, Daisy Meadows,’’ he said. “[That] will draw a few chuckles at the church if things go as planned. All the girls out there, I end up with a Daisy. What’s the chances?’’

Gregg Pettersen was in his element Saturday morning in that he was at the golf course. That, however, is where any normalcy ended. The Royal Birkdale club pro was asked to play as a “marker’’ in Saturday’s British Open third round.

With an odd number of players having made the cut, Pettersen played in the first group with Shaun Norris of South Africa. Norris shot a 5-under 65 and Petterson shot 75.

“For me it was just a bit surreal, just an amazing experience,’’ Pettersen said. “I’ve been here for 15 years as a professional, so get to play links obviously quite regular. I’ve never played in front of that sort of crowds at all over the years.’’

Pettersen said he got the call asking him if he was interested about 10 p.m. on Friday.

“I just actually just left the building, so just walking back to my car … nice phone call to have,’’ he said.