British Open live stream 2016: How to watch Round 3 at Royal Troon online

Henrik Stenson has given himself a wonderful chance at the midpoint of The Open.

Phil Mickelson plowed ahead to a three-shot lead after Thursday’s first round of The Open at Royal Troon, shooting a major championship matching record 63 that was tantalizingly close to a hallowed 62. Mickelson still leads after 36 holes, but his advantage is just one stroke, because Stenson shot a field-low 65 on Friday to put himself in the first final grouping of the weekend.

Stenson is ranked the No. 6 golfer in the world, making him arguably the best player anywhere who hasn’t won a major championship. He’s been on the doorstep several times, making four major top-fours between 2013 and 2014. His narrowest miss was at Muirfield at 2013, when Mickelson beat him by three shots to win the Claret Jug.

Stenson hasn’t gotten as close in the last two years, but he did end a winless streak just a couple weeks ago when he took the BMW International Open on the European Tour. (His appearance at Oakmont in June’s U.S. Open was especially miserable, with Stenson walking away from the tournament before the end of the second round.) He’s still a dominant golfer, playing at least at an equal level to Mickelson at this point in both of their careers. You could call Stenson the favorite with 36 holes to play, and it’d be hard to argue too loudly against it. He’s put himself in a terrific position.

The Swede has gotten here with accuracy, both off the tee and on the greens. He’s hit 71 percent of his fairways in each of his first two rounds, and his GIR percentage stayed steady from 83 to 89 percent from Thursday to Friday. He’s made few mistakes, and he has quickly compensated for the ones he’s made. He stroked 28 putts on Friday. Plenty of golfers have done better than Stenson in either category, but Stenson’s been consistent in doing both. In volatile weather conditions and on a tricky course that punishes mistakes unforgivingly, Stenson has been steady. He’ll have every chance in the world to beat Mickelson and the rest of the remaining field over the weekend.

Golf Channel will once again help viewers follow the round live thanks to extensive television coverage and multiple online streams. Viewers can watch a live simulcast of the TV coverage in addition to a first tee stream that will show every player’s opening shot. There will also be featured groups and featured holes streams. Here are all of the viewing options for Saturday’s round. All times are Eastern:

4 - 7 a.m. -- Golf Channel

7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. -- NBC

Marquee groups stream

3:55 a.m. -- Jordan Spieth / Brandt Snedeker

8:15 a.m. -- Rickie Fowler / Tyrrell Hatton

4 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio (Ch. 92/208)