World golf number one Scottie Scheffler. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Scottie Scheffler kept a cool hand on the tiller to stay on course for his first Open Championship title with a serene 67 on a spectacular day of shot-making in the third round.
Birdies and eagles rained down on a sun-kissed Royal Portrush links with home favourite Rory McIlroy, England's Tyrrell Hatton and defending champion Xander Schauffele all tucking into the scoring feast.
Thunderous roars wafted across the County Antrim coast, the loudest for some McIlroy magic, but world number one Scheffler was laser-focused to move to 14 under par and a four-stroke lead heading to the final day.
Barring a sudden loss of form by the three-times major champion, the last round looks like being a scrap for the minor places, although Scheffler is not out of sight.
"I had another good day today," Scheffler said.
"I was pretty patient and felt like I was hitting it really nice.
"Sometimes in major championships it can be tough to make birdies, and today was one of those days where I just had to give myself some looks and was able to hole a few."
Li Haotong maintained his challenge, a 69 taking him to 10 under par, and he will be the first Chinese man to be in the final group at a major. England's Matt Fitzpatrick finished a further shot back after a disappointing 71.
McIlroy's five-under 66 kept alive the Northern Irishman's hopes of lifting the Claret Jug on home soil, 11 years after his previous British Open title. He is in a group on eight under with Americans Chris Gotterup and Harris English, and Hatton.
"I've got a chance. I need to get off to a great start like I did today, and if I can do that, anything can happen," McIlroy said.
The 36-year-old began on three under par, seven adrift, after two up-and-down rounds. He quickly fired up his army of fans, however, as he birdied three of his first four holes.
He was close to an eagle at the par-five second, and made up his third stroke of the day at the fourth after a superb approach left him with a seven-foot putt.
McIlroy bogeyed the 11th after a bizarre incident when his second shot from the rough unearthed a previously buried ball.
That was soon forgotten, though, as a snaking 56-foot putt dropped for eagle at the 12th, prompting scenes of jubilation in the crowd.
After two days of unpredictable conditions, the weather gods obliged with near-perfect weather for round three, which had a total of 47 players breaking par.
- Reuters
