Former UAB golfer Paul Dunne became the first amateur in almost 90 years to lead the British Open after three rounds when his 6-under 66 put him in a three-way tie for the 54-hole lead at The Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Jason Day and Louis Oosthuizen were with Dunne atop the leaderboard as play began Monday morning in this weather-extended major tournament.

Dunne threatened to become the story of the tourney, supplanting Jordan Spieth and the chance for him to continue his bid to become the first player to win all four majors in a single season. The last amateur to win the event, in 1930, was golf legend Bobby Jones, who remained an amateur his entire career. Jones was also the last amateur to lead the British Open after three rounds, which he did in 1927.

“I don’t know, it’s a bit surreal,” Dunne told ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi. “Obviously I’m not in any form or bracket like Bobby Jones is – he’s a legend of the game. Anytime you can be associated with someone like that, it’s a real honor.”

But Dunne could not duplicate Jones’ feat. He tied for 30th at 6-under 282. Zach Johnson won his second major title at the British Open, beating Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a four-hole playoff.

Dunne even missed out on being the top amateur in the weather-delayed event. American Jordan Niebrugge had an 11-under 277 for the tournament to tie for sixth.

Dunne stumbled out of the blocks Monday morning, carding a bogey on each of his first two holes. But the former Blazer golfer notched birdies on two of the next three holes to get back to even par.

He stayed in the running at 12-under but four bogeys and one double bogey on the back nine sent him to 6-over for the day and 6-under for the tournament.

A native of Greystones, Ireland, the 22-year-old Dunne is a two-time letterman for UAB. During his junior year of 2013-14, he was named to the Division I PING All-America Team. He helped Team Europe to a victory at the 2014 Palmer Cup and played in the 2014 Open Championships.

Read our interview with Dunne after the British Open in which he reflects on his experience.