500-1 underdog Dan Brown admits he worries about his parents seeing him smoking after he was spotted sneaking a cigarette between holes at The Open

Shock Open Championship contender Dan Brown has revealed his concern at being spotted sneaking a cigarette between holes during his unprecedented march up the leaderboard. 

The 29-year-old Yorkshireman ended the third round tied for second and just a shot off the lead. 

Brown, who was ranked No 272 in the official World Golf Ranking heading into The Open, has surprised many with his ascent given he only made his first cut in almost four months at last week's Genesis Scottish Open. 

Before that, the last cut he made was back in March in South Africa for the Jonsson Workwear Open.

Not only is his performance a shock considering he hadn't made a DP Tour Cut since March but on his Major debut he became the first player in history to shoot a bogey-free 65 or lower in his first career Major.

Daniel Brown has emerged as a surprise contender for The Open Championship at Royal Troon

The 500-1 outsider was spotted sneaking a cigarette to calm his nerves on Saturday afternoon

If his famous name or unlikely story weren't enough, Brown caught more attention when he was spotted calming his nerves by smoking a cigarette between Royal Troon holes. 

He conceded that the bad habit was one he'd like to kicked but explained it is something he does to ease nerves. Brown also opened up on his worry, with his parents in attendance.

'It's just a bit of a bad habit that I've got into,' he said. 'You know what, I only really do it when I'm golfing, to be honest, so I suppose it could be a coping mechanism. I was tying to sneak. 

'My mum and dad are here. There's a lot of people watching,' he continued on his attempts at discretion. 'I don't know how people are going to take it. Obviously I'm sure a lot of people know. 

'[My parents] know, but I don't do it in front of them, or I don't want to it in front of them, so I try and hid it.'

The 29-year-old admitted he is worried about his parents and others seeing him smoking

Brown finished the third round tied for second and only one shot behind leader Billy Horschel

Brown's unexpected bid to claim the Claret Jug took a hit at the end of play on Saturday when a double bogey saw him fall out of the lead at The Open Championship.

Still, he remains in with a chance of claiming an unlikely win. He will tee off just before 2pm with two-time Major winner and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler on Sunday. 

He is bidding to become the first Englishman to win The Open since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992 and the first to do so at Royal Troon since 1923.