The Open 2025 live: Rory McIlroy charges up leaderboard after ‘strange’ round as Scottie Scheffler races clear at Portrush

The Open 2025 - Round 3

• The Open prize money: How much does the winner take home?
• Leaderboard: -14 Scheffler; -10: Li; -9: Fitzpatrick; -8: Hatton, McIlroy, Gotterup, English; -7: Schauffele
• Hole in one! Parry sparks wild celebrations after stunning shot on the 192-yard 13th
• Report: Rory McIlroy overcomes the bizarre to conjure thrilling charge at The Open

Rory McIlroy overcomes the bizarre to conjure thrilling charge at The Open

“Oh god,” Rory McIlroy gasped as his ball fizzed a little higher than he anticipated. But then he burst into laughter, “I was on the golf ball!”

The most remarkable golf shot in one of the most remarkable rounds of golf, as a legion of McIlroy supporters weaved their way around the links on a baking day at Royal Portrush. McIlroy’s audacious charge towards the imposing presence of Scottie Scheffler at the top of the leaderboard may well fall short on Sunday, but his presence, as the Masters champion, back home in Northern Ireland, conjured a unique moment.

It epitomised how McIlroy remains one of the most engrossing athletes to watch in sport, all while Scheffler quietly dismantled both the course and field. There wasn’t a blemish in the world No 1’s round of 67, with his putter salvaging any minor wobbles. And while it secures a four-shot lead at -14 over Haotong Li at The Open 2025, the day belonged to McIlroy.

The 38-year-old stirred early on, putting together three birdies in his first four holes before that bizarre and glorious combined for a five-under-par round of 66 to position him tied for fourth at -8.

And after the baffling moment on 11, which prompted an untimely bogey, McIlroy soared on 12 with an eagle. A 56-footer, dribbling downhill and gathering pace all the time, the commotion in the stands could be heard as the ball gripped the correct line and dropped in the hole. McIlroy held his fist aloft. The putt could be heard from several holes away and instilled fresh belief among the thousands shuffling four or five deep along the ropes.

Matt Fitzpatrick bemoaned putting woes as Open bid fades

“They just wouldn't go in. That's the long and short of it. They went in yesterday. They didn't go in today. I just felt like I left myself too many short, mid-range, like 5 to 8 feet. Obviously that starts to build up a lot of pressure as the round goes on, and never gave myself a lot of chances with the irons to kind of make anything. So you're hoping for a 25-, 30-footer to go in. That's just hard to sustain over the course of 18.”

(AP)

Scottie Scheffler on the importance of putting this week

“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-ish footer on 11, another one on 14, so two really important putts I felt like.

“I think anytime you can keep a clean card around a major championship, you're going to be having a pretty good day.

“Yeah, I think there's some pretty subtle slopes in these greens. I've done a really good job just being committed to my line. Today I hit some good putts to start the round. I had a little three-putt there on the second hole, but I felt like I hit two putts the way I wanted to and I didn't let it bother me. I made a really nice putt there on the third hole to keep the momentum going. It was a little 10-footer for par, and that was what I felt like was a really important putt, and knocked it in. Then after that I felt like I did some good things out there.”

Scottie Scheffler takes huge step towards clinching fourth major

(AP)

(AFP via Getty Images)

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Xander Schauffele on what it takes to chase down Scottie Scheffler

“It's hard. I think it's pretty hard to -- depending on how windy it is, if I was leading a tournament, I'd want it to play hard just because you know no one's going to shoot 62 or 63, whatever it is.

“If you shoot level to 1-under, you're going to win the tournament. Chasing is difficult when you're on a links course with weather and wind and bounces and things like that.

“Yeah, I mean, I feel like I definitely -- I feel like I've been in chase mode all year, which it is what it is.”

Scottie Scheffler reacts to securing four-shot lead at The Open entering final round

“A clean card around a major championship golf course is always nice. No bogeys. It was nice to set up the eagle, I felt I was doing the right things. Nice to judge that shot there and then make the putt.

“Staying patient with myself, I know what I need to do tomorrow. It’ll be a challenging and fun day.

“It’d be a lot of fun [to win The Open], but that’s not what I’m thinking about. As I go to sleep tonight, I’ll think about executing.”

US golfer Scottie Scheffler walks up the 17th fairway on day three of the 153rd Open Championship (AFP via Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy on Scottie Scheffler

“Yeah, he's playing like Scottie. I don't think it's a surprise. Everyone's seen the way he's played or plays over the last two or three years. He's just so solid. He doesn't make mistakes. It looked like he could have made bogey on 14 there.

“He's turned himself into a really consistent putter as well. So there doesn't seem to be any weakness there. Whenever you're trying to chase down a guy like that, it's hard to do. But he's incredibly impressive.”

Rory McIlroy reacts to shooting 66 at Royal Portrush to keep alive hopes of winning The Open

“Obviously a great start, sort of like the dream start to be able to be 3-under through 4 and have 5 and 7 to play. To not birdie those was a little disappointing.

“Yeah, what happened on 11 was just so -- my ball came out so strange, like I thought I was going to get a flier, and I looked up at my ball, and I could see it spinning up against the wind. Just a really weird -- I had obviously no idea there was a ball anywhere close to my ball.

“I could have done better with the chip shot there anyway. That was the bogey -- I mean, making bogey on 11 is not the end of the world. It's a tough hole. Yeah, the eagle on 12 was one of the coolest moments of -- it's one of the largest roars I've ever heard on a golf course. So that was a really cool moment. To get those shots back straight away was nice, and I felt like I played the last few holes really solid and picked one up coming in, which was good.”

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the crowd on the 13th green (Getty Images for HSBC)

Scheffler secures four-shot lead entering final round of The Open 2025

This has been a masterclass from Schauffele. No bogeys today, he’s in at -14, a comfortable 67, if there is such a thing.

A four-shot lead, to Haotong Li, with Fitzpatrick one shot further back after that near miss for birdie on 18. Disappointing for the Englishman, who settles for par, a 71 will not trouble the best player in the world.

Leaderboard: -14 Scheffler; -11: Li; -9: Fitzpatrick; -8: Hatton, McIlroy, Gotterup, English; -7: Schauffele

Harman aims to finish on a high

Brian Harman with a shot at birdie on 18, but it’s not been the 2023 champion’s day at Portrush. He’s been +2 for his round since the first hole and never truly regained momentum.

Scheffler, meanwhile, tightens his grip on the Claret Jug, ripping a wood off 18 with a big, arching cut right into the middle of the fairway. Birdie chance is likely to follow from that iron shot...

Fitzy with a bit of venom on that one too, and he’s just behind the leader, high quality from the Englishman, with both mastering that left-to-right shape.

Leaderboard: -14 Scheffler; -11: Li; -9: Fitzpatrick; -8: Hatton, McIlroy, Gotterup, English; -7: Schauffele

Li goes second

Li -11 (17)

Li Haotong gets a birdie on the 17th to go 11 under and close the gap to Scheffler.

English finishes on -8

English -8 (68)

Harris English is level with McIlroy on eight under after finishing the day with 68.

Birdie for Scheffler

Scheffler -14, Fitzpatrick -10 (16)

And just like that, Scheffler is in complete control again. A birdie on the 16th takes him four clear.

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Gotterup finishes on 68

Gotterup -8 (68)

Chris Gotterup is now eight under after finishing the day on 68 following a par on the 18th.

Birdie for Fitzpatrick

Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -10 (15)

Matt Fitzpatrick keeps himself in contention with a much-needed birdie on the 15th.

Bradley finishes on 70

Bradley -4 (70)

A solid day for US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who is now four under at The Open.

Hatton loses ground

Hatton -8, R Hojgaard -7 (16)

A rare misstep for Hatton, who drops a shot on the 16th and is back to eight under.

Memorable day for McIlroy

It might not have gone entirely as he hoped, but it has been a day to remember nonetheless for McIlroy.

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Par again for Scheffler

Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -9 (14)

Scheffler remains unerringly consistent and it’s difficult to see anyone keeping up with him in his current form.

McIlroy finishes with 66

McIlroy -8 (66)

A long-range putt doesn’t quite come off for McIlroy, despite the collective will of the thousands watching. He finishes the day with 66 and eight under, five shots behind Scheffler.

Bogey for Fitzpatrick

Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -9 (13)

Scheffler now has a four-shot lead over Fitzpatrick, who can’t get par on the 13th, despite a nice chip to the green.

Remarkable Rory

One wave, a flick of the putter to the grandstand, another wave, then a third. The applause for McIlroy, who has just made a superb par in the circumstances, is remarkable. That towering wedge from the steep grassy bank was of the highest difficulty, though he’ll feel that was a chance to get one more. This remarkable crowd flocks to all corners of the last, looking for a glimpse of this special moment. You suspect McIlroy needs to birdie the 18th to cling on to any hopes of winning the Claret Jug, unless Scheffler stumbles on the way home.

Par for McIlroy

McIlroy -8 (17)

It’s par for McIlroy on the 17th as he continues to be urged on by the vocal and supportive crowd.

Crowd erupt for McIlroy

McIlroy -8 (16)

A great moment for McIlroy, who put himself in a tricky situation with a slice into the crowd. But he recovers by digging out a wedge and landing on the green. He walks through a sea of spectators to cheers and wild applause.

Bogey for Li

Li -9 (13)

Li Haotong’s hopes of catching Scheffler take a hit after a bogey, just his second of the week, on the 13th.

Rose finishes strongly

Rose -5 (18)

Justin Rose finishes with a birdie and soaks in the applause and cheers from the crowd. A good day for him.

Sublime from McIlroy

Usually McIlroy can rely on the fireworks to catapult him up leaderboards, but this chip, at Calamity Corner no less, is worth half a stroke at least. A bush descends on the Rory crowd, aware of the severe skill required to settle into the steep bank and throw the ball up high. It’s a sublime effort and the short putt, after an additional check, drops in the hole to preserve that runaway momentum. Still five under today, and eight under overall. He surely requires one more coming in, with Scheffler still five ahead and able to lean on the extra holes.

Par for McIlroy

McIlroy -8 (16)

McIlroy plays a brilliant shot to get out of the rough and onto the green. It gives him a simple putt and par on the 16th.

Fitzpatrick bogey

Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -10 (11)

Fitzpatrick gets a bogey on the 11th and Scheffler has a three-shot lead after putting a 10-footer for a four.

Hatton birdie

Tyrrell Hatton birdies on the par-five 12th hole. He’s on -9 and still within touching distance of Scheffler.

Astonishing crowds

These crowds are quite astonishing. A pause in the hysteria as Jordan Smith putts. But Rory McIlroy soaks in the applause as he steps up to the 15th green and flicks his putter up, gazing at the ocean in the background. A birdie try to move to -8. It’s simple. Straight back, straight through, and more noise, willing McIlroy on as he bounces over to the 16th, now just five back.

McIlroy birdies 15!

McIlroy -8 (15)

That brilliant/lucky shot has almost set up a tap-in for McIlroy. Can he take the birdie?

He can! He moves up to -8, five behind.

Elsewhere, Li has the first birdie in a good while to move up to -10!

Scheffler takes par, Fitzpatrick

Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -11 (10)

Birdie putt for Scheffler on 10, but he can’t take it and settles for par.

A similar distance for Fitzpatrick...he’ll take par too.

McIlroy -7 (14)

A few holes ahead, McIlroy produces a lovely approach shot to land just a few feet away from the point. Should be a birdie...

On replay, it seems it’s hit the flag after the first bounce! What a slice of luck for the home hopeful.

Westwood finishes on -4

Lee Westwood has birdied the final hole to finish the day on -4.

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The Open 2025 - Round Three

More from Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

The crowds flocking to McIlroy are quite incredible. The noise is reverberating around Portrush, the echos celebrated by those unable to even see the Masters champion.

Even when playing partner Smith takes a shot, there is a polite pause in the cheers, only for the Englishman’s strike to trigger more cries of “Go on Rory!”

A bounce in McIlroy’s step, but he is a net one stroke gained over Scheffler, who has quietly stormed to -13, six ahead of the home favourite.

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McIlroy settles for par on 14

McIlroy -7 (14)

Only half a chance of the birdie for McIlroy on 14 and he falls short. He’ll settle for par.

Birdie for MacIntyre, bogey for English

MacIntyre -7, English -6 (11)

Cheers as Rob MacIntyre lands a birdie from 15ft on 11, while English drops a shot after a penalty drop due to landing in the bushes.

Li unable to make ground

Haotong Li hasn't been unable to make a lot of ground today, only gaining one shot since starting.

He’ll have a birdie chance on 10, but it’s difficult.

Fleetwood done for the day

Fleetwood -3, Thomas -3, Fowler -2 (F)

Birdies for both Fleetwood and Thomas as they finish for the day on -3.

Probably fallen out of contention but a good day nonetheless.

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McIlroy takes par on 13

McIlroy has to settle for par on 13.

He tees off on 14, six back from the leader.

John Parry sinks first hole-in-one of The Open 2025 to move into contention

A hole-in-one for England’s John Parry catapulted him onto the leaderboard on day three of The Open at Royal Portrush.

The 38-year-old’s tee shot at the 199-yard 13th took three bounces before disappearing into the hole.

Parry, playing in only his second Open after a debut in 2022, started on the cut-mark at one over and was not really going anywhere in his round with just one birdie on the front nine getting him to level par.

Scheffler birdies!

Another birdie for Scheffler though, as he sinks the putt on eight to move to -13.

McIlroy finds an eagle on 12!

McIlroy -7

Oh my word!

McIlroy answers Scheffler’s eagle with one of his own!

He’s set up an eagle chance with a 360-yard drive followed by a solid approach shot. But he’s still 50 feet away.

No matter though. He lines it up and it looks like it’s stopping but the hill gives it some added pace and it continues towards the hole...closer and closer...it’s in!

McIlroy raises his hand in triumph.

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McIlroy bogeys 11

Rory McIlroy has bogeyed the 11th and that has dampened the feeling around Royal Portrush. Can he recover on 12?

Hatton takes par

An update on that birdie chance for Hatton from Jack Rathborn:

Hatton hammers his thigh three times after missing birdie on nine. It’s a stress-free par, though, there’s nothing to be angry about when you’re two back hitting the back nine.

Though he’s now four back, of course...

Scheffler lands eagle on seven!

Out of nowhere, the world number one is into a two-shot lead.

Just calmly slots in a putt from 10 feet after two lovely shots to start the hole.

Make that a one-shot lead though, as Fitzpatrick lands the birdie shot to move to -11.

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The Open 2025 - Round Three

More from Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

And what a shot it is, the fans could tell from the sound of the shot, clattered out as clean as he would have hoped.

It settles about 10 feet from the pin and offers a chance to move within one of the leaders.

There’s also a real presence in the crowd pulling for Hatton, plenty of “come on Tyrrell” chants ring around the ninths green.

The Open 2025 - Round Three

More from Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

Hatton with a subtle move towards the top of the leaderboard. Two back at -8, that was an exquisite lag putt, the acknowledgement comes in the form of a fist bump towards the crowd.

Hatton knows he’s in this championship, he removes his cap and matches down the ninth, his drive has tumbled into the fairway bunker. Hatton jumps down into the sand for what will be a real test to retain this immense momentum.

Schauffele moves to -7!

2024 winner Xander Schauffele has had a remarkable day, and he landed a second eagle earlier to move to -6.

And he’s just birdied the 15th to climb to -7! Three shots within the lead when he was fighting for the cut at one point yesterday.

The Open 2025 - Round Three

A strange moment as McIlroy takes his second shot of the 11th and bizarrely, his swing takes up some turf that includes a buried ball!

That could’ve been there for years!

Plenty of laughs as a puzzled McIlroy wonders what happened.

Leaderboard update

Here’s how the leaderboard is looking then.

1 - Scheffler, -10, 5

Fitzpatrick, -10 5

3 - Li, -9, 6

4 - Hatton, -8, 7

5 - English, -7, 8

Gotterup, -7, 8

7 - McIlroy, -6, 10

Hatton lands eagle!

Hatton -8 (7)

Oh wow!

That’s superb from a smiley Hatton!

He’s around about 140 yards and he clips it towards the pin. It bounces onto the green towards the hole...and stops briefly right on the edge of the cup before rolling in!

MacIntyre eagles seven!

MacIntrye -7, English -7 (7)

MacIntyre has an eagle after landing a lovely approach onto the green and draining from seven feet. He’s in contention!

And English lands a birdie too, taking him to the same score.

McIlroy makes par on nine

McIlroy lands the par after a close call with the birdie. He’s on 33 through the front nine.

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The Open 2025 - Round Three

Not a great tee shot from Scheffler on five as he lands in the cut and down the hill!

Meanwhile, Li Haotong gets into a bit of a mess of the fifth hole as he looks set to drop a shot, but he saves with an accomplished putt.

Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

The skies are mostly clear now, but the breeze has picked up a touch. After a feast for the world’s best over the last couple of hours, conditions appear to be toughening a touch as we approach the back nine and get closer to the coast.

Fitzpatrick and Scheffler also having to contend with a long delay in play, with the fifth green tied up ahead, this tee shot has the extra challenge of remaining focused after being held back for almost 10 minutes now.

MacIntrye -5, English -6 (6)

MacIntyre is back at five under after a birdie at putt, converting a putt five feet after a great approach.

Harris English saves par there by draining a 14-foot putt.

Henley finishes on -6

Russell Henley has the best round of the day so far, finishing on 65.

He’s on -6, and will eagerly await the end of the day to see what challenge he faces tomorrow.

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Gotterup birdies to move within three

Chris Gotterup has quietly gone about his business and he now has a birdie on the seventh to move to -7.

Three shots off the lead for the 25-year-old.

Hovland & Spieth done

Hovland +2, Spieth +1 (F)

Another day to forget for these two, who started well but faded.

Hatton gets first birdie

Hatton -6 (5)

Hatton moves to six under with a tap-in on the fifth after a solid tee shot and approach.

McIlroy makes par on eight

Rory McIlroy misses another birdie chance on eight but he’ll take par.

Scheffler & McIlroy make par

Scheffler misses a birdie putt on three, though he sinks the parr putt well.

Perhaps those fans singing “he’s in your head, Rory, Rory…” played a part in that one!

A taste of what is to come in September’s Ryder Cup, perhaps.

On seven, McIlroy also made par after narrowly missing the birdie putt.

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Fleetwood birdies for -5!

Another birdie for Fleetwood on the 12th as he sinks from four feet.

Justin Thomas also birdied, moving to -3.

Updates from around the course

Henley -6 (16)

Finau -6 (5)

Gotterup -6 (4)

English -6 (4)

Harman -6 (3)

A few players were threatening around the -6 mark, so we’ll check up on them.

Russell Henley is still on -6 as he takes on the final three holes, while Tony Finau and Chris Gotterup have both gained shots to sit alongside him.

Brian Harman has dropped another shot to move back there, and Harris English is going steady too.

Fitzpatrick lands eagle!

Another update from Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

The second green has just reported. Fitzpatrick, who had every right to feel a little sheepish after that start. After a thumping drive, the most exquisite chip falls into the bottom of the hole. Barely a reaction from Fitzy, who turns and nods to his caddy. A beautiful counterpunch after being rocked at the first. Back to where he began.

The crowd is gripped by this and Scheffler, seemingly aware of the seismic impact of that chip, takes an extra moment to circle his par putt. Marked, remarked. He backs away and then… misses. The gasps reverberated around this amphitheatre lined with fans clinking champagne glasses. Incredibly, we have co-leaders.

Fitzpatrick lands eagle!

Scheffler -10, Fitzpatrick -10

He’s made up for that early bogey!

Fitzpatrick finds himself just off the green down the hill but he chips on and it runs straight in!

And Scheffler three-putts on the same hole, missing a straightforward birdie from a few feet to take par.

Lorwy and Rahm finish out of contention

Lowry +3, Rahm -2 (F)

A difficult day for this duo, who were both expected to contend but won’t be doing so barring a miracle.

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Harman bounces back after nightmare on first

Harman -7, Li -8 (2)

Brian Harman was in trouble on the first and produced a double bogey, but he’s back in business on the second after holing a putt from 12 feet.

Li has settled for par in both of the first two.

Hatton misses birdie chances

Hatton -5, Hojgaard -4 (3)

Hatton sets up a nice birdie chance at the third but it flies wide.

Rasmus Hojgaard misses from even closer!

Par for Scheffler, bogey for Fitzpatrick

Another update from Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

Fitzpatrick like Spider-Man on the first green. Lying down and and outstretched, squinting to read the break.

But this one lips out, a horrid start for the Englishman, bogey and gentle encouragement from the crowd as he marches to the second. Fitzpatrick buries his head in his scorecard and scribbles down a bogey.

Par for Scheffler, bogey for Fitzpatrick

Scheffler -10, Fitzpatrick -8

Both of these guys set up par putts from just a few feet but Fitzpatrick is unable to convert it and has his first bogey of the day!

Scheffler & Fitzpatrick tee off!

Another update from Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

A fascinating final few minutes on the putting green between Fitzpatrick and Scheffler there.

The Englishman very relaxed, draining putts and laughing away with putting guru Phil Kenyon.

There was no sign of Scheffler until seven minutes before he teed off. Emerging by himself, with one ball, and casually draining a couple of putts before checking his phone one last time before this fascinating third round.

Both men underway now with fine tee shots and approaches to the first, but movement ahead will eventually trickle back to the pair. There’s a low one out there, just the most gentle of breezes as we reach this first green.

McIlroy makes par

On the fifth, McIlroy goes agonisingly wide on the birdie putt and he settles for par.

Scheffler & Fitzpatrick tee off!

And the leaders are finally underway for the day, with Scheffler and Fitzpatrick teeing off.

The Englishman hits it straight and true, finding the fairway easily.

The world number one is slightly off, finding the first cut on the left.

Leaderboard update

Time for an update on the leaderboard, with some movement behind the leaders.

1 - Scheffler, -10, -

2 - Fitzpatrick, -9, -

3 - Li, -8, -

Harman, -8, -

5 - McIlroy, -6, 4

Henley, -6, 13

Gotterup, -6, 2

English, -6, 1

Harman and Li teeing off

The two early leaders from yesterday are teeing off now.

2023 champ Brian Harman and Haoting Li.

The former fires comfortably onto the fairway.

Another McIlroy birdie!

McIlroy -6

An exceptional start from Rory McIlroy!

He starts by finding the fairway on the fourth before a lovely approach from 160 yards leaves him with a good birdie chance.

He’s got a seven-foot putt in front of him and he drains it perfectly.

Four off the lead now for the home hopeful!

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Clark and Rose to -5

Both Justin Rose and Wyndham Clark have just landed birdies to move to five under.

Rose is through six, Clark at 17.

English -6, MacIntrye -5 (1)

Harris English has birdied the first to get to -6 too.

Elsewhere, Tyrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard are underway too.

The Open 2025 - Round Three

Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

This is very much a Rory McIlroy home game. To walk this course, you feel the roars, even if you're 2-3 holes away. Even the oohs and arghhhs as McIlroy blazes a drive down four.

He's in position A. Three birdies in four holes? To close within four of Scheffler, before he even tees off, would generate immense momentum.

Fleetwood birdies again!

Another birdie on the ninth for Fleetwood and he moves to within six shots of the lead!

33 through the front nine for the Englishman.

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Henley putting together superb round

Henley -6

The first real leaderboard update of the day!

Russell Henley, who finished fifth in last year's Open, is constructing an impressive round out there.

He lands an eagle at the 12th to follow a birdie on 11 and now he’s six under and six under for the day, and just four off Scheffler's lead!

Schauffele lands an eagle!

Schaffele -4 (7)

Reigning champion Xander Schauffele has an eagle on the seventh!

He lands an impressive putt to move to -4.

The Open 2025 - Round Three

Westwood -1 (3)

A double bogey for Westwood on three, with the Brit having drifted into the rough off the tee.

Fleetwood -3, Thomas -2 (8)

Tommy Fleetwood is another playing having a decent day out there, with him and playing partner Justin Thomas landing par at the eighth.

Åberg -4, Rose -4 (5)

And some more good stuff from this duo too, with Justin Rose draining from 18 feet at the fifth to move to -4!

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Par for McIlroy on three

Par for McIlroy on the third and he continues a solid start!

Second birdie for McIlroy!

McIlroy -5

On two, Rory just misses the fairway off the tee but he does catch a nice lie in the first cut of the second fairway.

More good fortune too, as his second shot bounces towards the green and comes to lie in the middle, setting up an eagle putt at around 25ft.

He can’t sink it but leaves himself a tap-in for the birdie, and he takes it!

An ideal start!

The Open 2025 - Round Three

Lowry +2, Rahm -1 (14)

More irritation for Lowry, who has a triple-bogey seven at the par-four 14th after he requires another drop.

Alongside him, Jon Rahm has parred his last three holes.

Not long until the end of a day to forget for the duo.

The Open 2025 - Round Three

Westwood -3, Burns -3 (2)

Lee Westwood has to settle for par on the second and it’s a decent enough start for the 52-year-old.

Birdie for McIlroy!

Jack Rathborn at Royal Portrush:

It's a deafening cheer that rings around Portrush and beyond... McIlroy, birdie, he's off and underway in a hurry, -4 and now just six back. He couldn't, could he?

You can describe the conditions so far as pleasant, with players picking the course apart. But there's an electric feeling now, McIlroy ready to chase down Scottie Scheffler. A glance to his right, surprise? Maybe. This place has come alive.

Birdie for McIlroy!

A huge cheer!

McIlroy has a chance for a birdie putt at around 18 feet and it's difficult, but he sends it right-to-left and it sinks in!

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The Open 2025 - Round Three

Rose -3, Aberg -3 (3)

Justin Rose is among those underway for the day, but it’s Aberg who bags the first birdie between that pair.

No problem though, as Rose replies with a good putt for a birdie of his own on three. Plenty of cheers for that one too.

Fleetwood -3 (6)

Elsewhere, Fleetwood moves to three under at the sixth, putting from about seven feet.

The Open 2025 - Round Three

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AP)

McIlroy tees off!

The excitement is rising now as Rory McIlroy comes out onto the first tee.

He hits the fairway and it’s a good start to day three!

He’s alongside Jordan Smith today.

Hatton or MacIntyre to spark Open charge?

Birdie-birdie-par, Rahm with a vital hold on 12, to keep momentum and stay at -1.

While Parry makes a birdie, too, he’s -4 in his last four holes, including an ace!

Sir Nick Faldo: “Tyrrell is a great ball-striker, he doesn’t overshape the ball. If you play great tee to green, you deserve to win it. MacIntyre felt it at the US Open, a lot of people think he can do it. It’s a great place to come from. Put your head down, post a score. Look after yourself, then see where you are tomorrow.”

“They’re quite different players,,” adds Graeme McDowell. “Tyrrell is a very animated player, but he’s shy and quietly confident, hits it incredibly straight. He has a complete game. He’s like a lefty Shane Lowry, that links experience could stand him in good stead.”

Leaderboard: -10 Scheffler, -9 Fitzpatrick; -8: Li, Harman; -5: MacIntyre, Hojgaard R, Hatton, English

Sir Nick Faldo: It's not over, Scottie Scheffler has got away with it so far

That's a horrible start for Justin: A bogey to move back to -1 overall for Rose.

Nick Faldo tells Sky Sports: “I’m saying no, you cannot get away with missing fairways here. The wind has picked up a touch. We have eight holes, left to right, Scottie doesn’t like that. He’s got away with it, every time I watch him. I don’t believe that can keep going on. I think you have to keep it in play. As the nerves get up, there are fall offs, the pressure will mount.”

Leaderboard: -10 Scheffler, -9 Fitzpatrick; -8: Li, Harman; -5: MacIntyre, Hojgaard R, Hatton, English

Xander Schauffele makes early move

The defending champion, at two, has an eagle putt trickle away to the right, but he’ll take birdie and soon move to -3, seven behind Scottie Scheffler.

DeChambeau continues to roll on 16: His second shot is majestic, a high bounding chip from the back right of the par three, it tumbles down, but then checks, handing him a great chance to save par and remain tied 26th at -2 overall.

Leaderboard: -10 Scheffler, -9 Fitzpatrick; -8: Li, Harman; -5: MacIntyre, Hojgaard R, Hatton, English

The Open 2025 - Round Three

A couple of difficult holes for DeChambeau saw him move to -1, but he birdies the next to get back to -2. Not quite as impressive as yesterday for the American.

Hovland -1, Spieth E (7)

Spieth takes his second birdie on the seventh to move back to level par, while Hovland has to settle for par.

Lowry E, Rahm E (10)

Elsewhere, Lowry lands his first birdie of the day and Rahm is also back up to level par.

Parry lands a hole in one!

We have a hole in one and John Parry has moved to -3!

He takes on the 192-yard 13th and tees off with a lovely shot that arcs perfectly for the ace!

Barely a bounce as it fell in.

The first hole-in-one of the 2025 tournament, and the 26th in the last 40 years of The Open.

Schauffele tees off

Defending champion Xander Schauffele begins the day on -2 and he tees off with a promising shot down the fairway.