http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=3496085&sportCat=golf SOUTHPORT, England -- Well, just as we all predicted, Greg Norman is in perfect position to win the British Open after three rounds. Of course, it was 1993 when we predicted it. Only 18 holes (and, OK, maybe a playoff) separate Norman and arguably the nuttiest majors victory of all time. If he wins, he'd become the oldest majors champion ever -- and not just by a little, but by five years. But there's still a few slices of pizza left in the Open box. There are 18 players within 7 strokes of Norman, who has been known to suffer oxygen loss in his playing career. I'm pulling for him. But that's my heart talking. The local oddsmakers say otherwise. Greg Norman (2-over-par). Odds: 4/1 The last time Norman led a major after 54 holes was 1996, when he held a seemingly insurmountable 6-stroke advantage at the Masters. Then he went out and melted like a square of butter in a frying pan. It was the biggest collapse in PGA Tour history. Now he has a 2-stroke lead over K.J. Choi and defending champion Padraig Harrington, followed by a casting call of other contenders. "The players are probably saying, 'My God, what's he doing up there?"' Norman said. There's no logical reason why the 53-year-old Norman, who last won British Opens in 1986 and 1993, is atop the famed canary-yellow leaderboard. Then again, there wasn't any logical reason why Rocco Mediate lasted 91 holes against Tiger Woods in the recent U.S. Open. Sometimes you don't ask why. This is one of those times. Padraig Harrington (4-over-par). Odds: 5/2 Harrington is a delightful Irishman who talks like he just inhaled a cheek full of helium. The R&A should be thrilled that his name is on the Claret Jug. He's a class act. There will be no shortage of Harrington fans and followers here Sunday. He arrived at Royal Birkdale with an injured wrist, but you wouldn't know it now. He'll be in the last twosome of the tournament and is more than capable of becoming the first European player to go Jug-to-Jug since 1906. "Obviously I don't know what to think at this stage," Harrington said. That's not exactly true. He's thinking two-peat. He's also hoping the winds keep pounding this place like a sledgehammer. "Yeah, if it was high winds it would probably give me the best chance of winning, yes," he said. ESPN.com 7/20/08