Scottie Scheffler builds on Open Championship lead as Rory McIlroy lights up Royal Portrush
The masterful American world number one kept his eyes firmly on the Claret Jug during Saturday's third-round moving day, heading inexorably towards his fourth major with a consummate, bogey-free round of 67, leaving him on 14-under for the Championship.
It's left the 29-year-old a prohibitive favourite, with China's Li Haotong his nearest if still distant challenger, and English hope Matt Fitzpatrick, a former US Open champ, a further shot adrift at 9-under.
Still, though, it may be the thought of the continuing magic that McIlroy could yet again produce at 8-under, inspired by his home army of fans, that may preoccupy the PGA champ.
Masters champ McIlroy was inspired at times on Saturday, what with his three birdies to start in just four holes, kicked off by a 36 foot curler at the first, then an amazing 56 foot putt for eagle at the 12th that sent the locals wild.
He was even magic when he didn't intend to be. At the 11th, he hit out of the rough and managed to dislodge a previously buried ball.
He ended up bogeying that one, but it still couldn't halt his pied piper progress as he ended with a 5-under 66.
At six shots behind, he's not given up hope of catching the seemingly uncatchable.
"Scottie Scheffler is inevitable," McIlroy said.
"Even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he's become a complete player.
"It's going to be tough to catch him tomorrow if he keeps playing the way he does.
"But if I can get off to a similar start to what I did today, get the crowd going, hopefully he feels that a couple of groups behind me, and you never know."
The way Scheffler is playing, though, McIlroy might have to dream up something as absurd as the 61 that he famously shot at Portrush as a 16-year-old.
That inevitability of Scheffler was on view throughout.
The inevitability of sheer solidity hole after hole, with the odd starburst thrown in, like the laser 206-yard approach to within 10 feet of the pin for eagle at the seventh. The inevitability of three 10-footers holed to save par. Crushingly for his pursuers, he did not drop a shot all round.
Li meanwhile has been a revelation but his third dropped shot all week at the 18th felt a fatal error as he finished with a 69. Fitzpatrick, who had begun just a shot behind, chipped in at the second for eagle but laboured to a level-par 71.
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Daily Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Fans befuddled by ‘absolutely insane' Rory McIlroy moment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Golf. Followed categories will be added to My News. Scottie Scheffler has one hand on the Claret Jug as the world No.1 jumped out to a four-shot lead with a bogey free four-under par third round of 67 in the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Scheffler sits at -14 for the tournament, and his sizeable lead will have dampened the spirits of his rivals as every time he has led a major after 54 holes, the 29-year-old has won. The three-time major champion started the day with a one-shot lead but stretched that margin with an eagle at the par 5 seventh, a birdie at par 4 eighth and a birdie at 'Calamity Corner', the par 3 16th. Watch every round of The Open Live & Exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now & get your first month for just $1. 'I think anytime you can keep a clean card around a major championship, you're going to be having a pretty good day,' Scheffler said. 'I think the card could look stress-free, but I had two really nice par saves on the back nine that were key. 'I made a nice eight footer on 11, another one on 14, so two really important putts.' The American looked simply irresistible as he continued he stellar form, boasting three wins, including his PGA Championship victory and a finish no worse than tied eighth in his last ten starts. He is now just 18 holes away from becoming the second top ranked player in the world after Tiger Woods to win on the British links, and in doing so, only a US Open triumph will remain in his bid for the career grand slam. 'I like being out here competing. This is why we work so hard is to have opportunities like this, and I'm excited for the challenge of tomorrow,' Scheffler said. 'Winning major championships is not an easy task, and I've put myself in a good position. 'Going into tomorrow I'm going to step up there on the first tee and I'm going to be trying to get the ball in the fairway, and when I get to the second shot I'm going to be trying to get that ball on the green. 'There's not really too much else going on.' Scheffler will be paired with China's Haotong Li (-10) in the final group after he shot a two-under par round of 69, while third round playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick remained at -9 with an even par 71. US golfer Scottie Scheffler walks to the 18th tee on day three of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 19, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE Local hope Rory McIlroy (-8) headlines a group of four players that are sharing fourth place, which also includes Scottish Open champion Chris Gotterup, Harris English and Tyrell Hatton. McIlroy delighted the crowd with a five-under 66 but will need some unlikely help from Scheffler on Sunday to win a second Open Championship after his triumph in 2014. Fitzpatrick drew level with Scheffler early in the round by chipping in for an eagle on the par-five second, as the leader three-putted for par. But Scheffler cruised back in front with an eagle on the seventh hole, backed up by a birdie on the eighth. He stayed bogey-free courtesy of a gusty par save after finding thick rough to the left of the 11th green, before getting up and down again on 14. The 29-year-old dealt another blow to the chasing pack with a birdie on the difficult 16th before closing out his round with two solid pars. Li, hoping to become the first Chinese man to win a major title, hung in to reach the turn at nine-under overall, four shots adrift. He emerged as Scheffler's closest challenger while others slipped back, making three birdies on the second nine before a closing bogey. Fitzpatrick was only two behind Scheffler at the halfway point of the third round as he tried to boost his bid to become the first English winner since Nick Faldo in 1992. But three bogeys on the way in left him with a mountain to climb. - McIlroy keeps slim hopes alive - Home favourite McIlroy, starting the day seven strokes off the pace, quickly made his move with three birdies in his first four holes. A huge roar greeted a curling, 36-foot birdie putt on the first green, before the Northern Irishman tapped in for another birdie on the second. A towering iron shot into the fourth continued the momentum, dragging the Masters champion to within four shots of Scheffler before the leader had even teed off. His putter went cold for the rest of the front nine, before a bogey on the 11th, when an old ball jumped out of the ground as he hit his approach shot, threatened to derail his round. But the 36-year-old responded in style by tickling home a downhill, 56-foot eagle putt on the 12th, bringing deafening cheers from the thousands of fans around the green. One more birdie at the 15th, after a wonderful shot from the rough, gave the crowd extra belief before Scheffler's strong finish. 'Scottie Scheffler is inevitable, even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he's the complete player,' McIlroy told Sky Sports. 'But if I can get out tomorrow, get off to a similar start to today, get the crowd going, hopefully he feels that a couple of groups behind me.' Other movers on Saturday included reigning champion Xander Schauffele, who made two eagles in a 66 to reach seven-under for the tournament. Lee Westwood tied the British Open record for the lowest back nine with a 29, recovering from being four-over on the outward half. Marc Leishman, the lone Australian to make the cut, shot a second straight three-under par round of 68 to sit at -4 overall, tied 26th. Leishman made five birdies for the day and the LIV Golf star has his sights set on a top ten finish in order to book his place at Royal Birkdale next year. PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 19: Marc Leishman of Australia looks on during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by) 'Obviously there's the carrot dangling to try to get into the top 4 but also to try to get in the Open next year,' Leishman said. 'Yes, you want to do something silly and try to go crazy low, but you also want to make sure you try to get back in next year and give yourself a chance to get into the other majors. 'Probably more so looking at that. I'm nine back. Probably going to be more than ten back at the end of the day the way he's playing. That will be too many, unless I do something really, really silly. He's probably going to get to 20-under. I'm not going to shoot 56.' The highlight of the day came from English golfer John Parry (-3) as he made the first hole-in-one of the tournament. It came at the 175 metre par 3 13th, which is ranked the third hardest hole on the course and boasted a scoring average for the day of 3.14, as Parry's tee shot landed on the green, took two hops and dropped into the cup, much to the delight of the roaring crowd. It turns out Parry has pulled off a miraculous shot more often than most. 'I think that is about ten. I haven't counted back and could probably work it out, but it's about ten,' Parry said of his hole-in-ones. Originally published as Fans befuddled by 'absolutely insane' Rory McIlroy moment
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
'Easy target' Lynagh leans on dad, ready for round two
The Wallabies have rallied around "easy target" Tom Lynagh, adamant he can manufacture a series comeback after a bruising welcome to the Test No.10 jersey. The 22-year-old son of former Wallabies great Michael started for the first time at flyhalf in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. His team steamrolled in the first half, Lynagh was forced to play off the back foot as he scrambled, schemed and copped an inevitable defensive battering. His kicking game was hit-and-miss and Lynagh had some threatening moments running at the line, but coach Joe Schmidt applauded his work, considering the dominance of the Lions' pack. "They targeted him through their big ball carriers and also targeted him in the air," said scrumhalf and Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott, who shone as a second-half replacement. "He communicated well, defended valiantly and he's going to be in the firing line again. "The boys have seen the warrior Tommy is. "We know he has a great kicking game, but he showed fight and courage, which is really important from the general, and guys are going to look towards that in coming weeks." Smiling through the punishment, Lynagh has welcomed round two on July 26 in Melbourne, where the Wallabies must win to force a Sydney decider and stave off chatter of the first 3-0 win in the country since 1904. "It was always something I wanted to do, follow in my dad's footsteps, so I'm sort of living the dream now," he said, 36 years after his father wore the No.10 against the Lions. UK-based Michael arrived in Brisbane on Friday night and caught up with his son on Saturday morning to deliver his usual message. "Just keep it simple, don't overplay your hand. That message never changed from when I was 13," Tom said. Lynagh came in for the injured Noah Lolesio, a regular starter at No.10 under Schmidt who is out with a long-term neck injury before shifting to Japan next season. The unflustered customer lived up to his reputation despite the grand stage and imposing challenge after just three Test appearances off the bench. "No nerves ... no point to prove, just go out and play my game," he said. "I've always sort of been like that, try to be as relaxed as possible. "It's part of the job; you've got to toughen up in games like that, can't shy away from anything. "My position, my build; I'm an easy target and I know that ... it's just my job." McDermott, who pressed his case to start ahead of Jake Gordon in Melbourne with a trademark darting try, said his team took plenty from their second-half performance. "The belief was there the whole week, but might have been dented a bit after the way the Lions came out of the blocks," he said. "We can take a lot out of that second half, for sure, and we need do. "We just need to continue to look at ways to get into games."
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Easy target' Lynagh leans on dad, ready for round two
The Wallabies have rallied around "easy target" Tom Lynagh, adamant he can manufacture a series comeback after a bruising welcome to the Test No.10 jersey. The 22-year-old son of former Wallabies great Michael started for the first time at flyhalf in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. His team steamrolled in the first half, Lynagh was forced to play off the back foot as he scrambled, schemed and copped an inevitable defensive battering. His kicking game was hit-and-miss and Lynagh had some threatening moments running at the line, but coach Joe Schmidt applauded his work, considering the dominance of the Lions' pack. "They targeted him through their big ball carriers and also targeted him in the air," said scrumhalf and Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott, who shone as a second-half replacement. "He communicated well, defended valiantly and he's going to be in the firing line again. "The boys have seen the warrior Tommy is. "We know he has a great kicking game, but he showed fight and courage, which is really important from the general, and guys are going to look towards that in coming weeks." Smiling through the punishment, Lynagh has welcomed round two on July 26 in Melbourne, where the Wallabies must win to force a Sydney decider and stave off chatter of the first 3-0 win in the country since 1904. "It was always something I wanted to do, follow in my dad's footsteps, so I'm sort of living the dream now," he said, 36 years after his father wore the No.10 against the Lions. UK-based Michael arrived in Brisbane on Friday night and caught up with his son on Saturday morning to deliver his usual message. "Just keep it simple, don't overplay your hand. That message never changed from when I was 13," Tom said. Lynagh came in for the injured Noah Lolesio, a regular starter at No.10 under Schmidt who is out with a long-term neck injury before shifting to Japan next season. The unflustered customer lived up to his reputation despite the grand stage and imposing challenge after just three Test appearances off the bench. "No nerves ... no point to prove, just go out and play my game," he said. "I've always sort of been like that, try to be as relaxed as possible. "It's part of the job; you've got to toughen up in games like that, can't shy away from anything. "My position, my build; I'm an easy target and I know that ... it's just my job." McDermott, who pressed his case to start ahead of Jake Gordon in Melbourne with a trademark darting try, said his team took plenty from their second-half performance. "The belief was there the whole week, but might have been dented a bit after the way the Lions came out of the blocks," he said. "We can take a lot out of that second half, for sure, and we need do. The Wallabies have rallied around "easy target" Tom Lynagh, adamant he can manufacture a series comeback after a bruising welcome to the Test No.10 jersey. The 22-year-old son of former Wallabies great Michael started for the first time at flyhalf in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. His team steamrolled in the first half, Lynagh was forced to play off the back foot as he scrambled, schemed and copped an inevitable defensive battering. His kicking game was hit-and-miss and Lynagh had some threatening moments running at the line, but coach Joe Schmidt applauded his work, considering the dominance of the Lions' pack. "They targeted him through their big ball carriers and also targeted him in the air," said scrumhalf and Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott, who shone as a second-half replacement. "He communicated well, defended valiantly and he's going to be in the firing line again. "The boys have seen the warrior Tommy is. "We know he has a great kicking game, but he showed fight and courage, which is really important from the general, and guys are going to look towards that in coming weeks." Smiling through the punishment, Lynagh has welcomed round two on July 26 in Melbourne, where the Wallabies must win to force a Sydney decider and stave off chatter of the first 3-0 win in the country since 1904. "It was always something I wanted to do, follow in my dad's footsteps, so I'm sort of living the dream now," he said, 36 years after his father wore the No.10 against the Lions. UK-based Michael arrived in Brisbane on Friday night and caught up with his son on Saturday morning to deliver his usual message. "Just keep it simple, don't overplay your hand. That message never changed from when I was 13," Tom said. Lynagh came in for the injured Noah Lolesio, a regular starter at No.10 under Schmidt who is out with a long-term neck injury before shifting to Japan next season. The unflustered customer lived up to his reputation despite the grand stage and imposing challenge after just three Test appearances off the bench. "No nerves ... no point to prove, just go out and play my game," he said. "I've always sort of been like that, try to be as relaxed as possible. "It's part of the job; you've got to toughen up in games like that, can't shy away from anything. "My position, my build; I'm an easy target and I know that ... it's just my job." McDermott, who pressed his case to start ahead of Jake Gordon in Melbourne with a trademark darting try, said his team took plenty from their second-half performance. "The belief was there the whole week, but might have been dented a bit after the way the Lions came out of the blocks," he said. "We can take a lot out of that second half, for sure, and we need do. The Wallabies have rallied around "easy target" Tom Lynagh, adamant he can manufacture a series comeback after a bruising welcome to the Test No.10 jersey. The 22-year-old son of former Wallabies great Michael started for the first time at flyhalf in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. His team steamrolled in the first half, Lynagh was forced to play off the back foot as he scrambled, schemed and copped an inevitable defensive battering. His kicking game was hit-and-miss and Lynagh had some threatening moments running at the line, but coach Joe Schmidt applauded his work, considering the dominance of the Lions' pack. "They targeted him through their big ball carriers and also targeted him in the air," said scrumhalf and Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott, who shone as a second-half replacement. "He communicated well, defended valiantly and he's going to be in the firing line again. "The boys have seen the warrior Tommy is. "We know he has a great kicking game, but he showed fight and courage, which is really important from the general, and guys are going to look towards that in coming weeks." Smiling through the punishment, Lynagh has welcomed round two on July 26 in Melbourne, where the Wallabies must win to force a Sydney decider and stave off chatter of the first 3-0 win in the country since 1904. "It was always something I wanted to do, follow in my dad's footsteps, so I'm sort of living the dream now," he said, 36 years after his father wore the No.10 against the Lions. UK-based Michael arrived in Brisbane on Friday night and caught up with his son on Saturday morning to deliver his usual message. "Just keep it simple, don't overplay your hand. That message never changed from when I was 13," Tom said. Lynagh came in for the injured Noah Lolesio, a regular starter at No.10 under Schmidt who is out with a long-term neck injury before shifting to Japan next season. The unflustered customer lived up to his reputation despite the grand stage and imposing challenge after just three Test appearances off the bench. "No nerves ... no point to prove, just go out and play my game," he said. "I've always sort of been like that, try to be as relaxed as possible. "It's part of the job; you've got to toughen up in games like that, can't shy away from anything. "My position, my build; I'm an easy target and I know that ... it's just my job." McDermott, who pressed his case to start ahead of Jake Gordon in Melbourne with a trademark darting try, said his team took plenty from their second-half performance. "The belief was there the whole week, but might have been dented a bit after the way the Lions came out of the blocks," he said. "We can take a lot out of that second half, for sure, and we need do.
