Perfect timing: McIlroy thrives with Open looming
McIlroy shot a four-under-par 66 in the third round of the Scottish Open on Saturday, pulling into a share of the lead at North Berwick, Scotland.
"I think I'm pretty close to being back to the level I was at going into the Masters," the green jacket winner said.
"I think I've had a little bit of a lull, which I feel is understandable. So I'm just getting back to the level that I know that I can play at."
McIlroy, bidding to win the tournament for the second time in three years, is tied atop the leaderboard with US second-round leader Chris Gotterup at Renaissance Club in North Berwick.
Gotterup had a 21-foot putt on the final hole with a chance to become the solo leader, but it was barely off the mark, so he settled for a third-round 70.
The duo go into Sunday's final round, which marks the last tune-up prior to next week's British Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, with a two-stroke lead at 11-under 199.
"Look, it's fun to be back here and play in front of so many kids out there and to have that support and that enthusiasm," said McIlroy, who'll get all the home support at Portrush.
Wyndham Clark made an early charge and posted 66, pulling to nine under with Jake Knapp (68) and the English duo of Marco Penge (69) and Matt Fitzpatrick (69).
McIlroy, who won the 2023 tournament at 15 under, played the last 11 holes in a bogey-free four-under.
Harris English, whose 66 matched McIlroy and Clark for the best score of the third round, is among eight golfers tied for seventh at seven under.
World No. 1 Scott Scheffler shot 69 and sits at six under. "I think I felt like I hit a lot of good putts out there and the ball was just dodging the hole," Scheffler said.
Adam Scott was leading the Australian challenge but after a third-round 70 was on three under for the tournament, still eight shots adrift. Elvis Smylie was another couple of shots further back after a third-round 71.
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