Roar, Rory, roar! Except the problem for the magnificent McIlroy masses here at the 153rd Open is that it does not seem to matter how loudly they cheer and shout and urge on their home hero.
Roar, Rory, roar! Except the problem for the magnificent McIlroy masses here at the 153rd Open is that it does not seem to matter how loudly they cheer and shout and urge on their home hero.
Scottie Scheffler looks impervious to the noise just as he seems resistant to Royal Portrush’s many dangers. On the causeway coast he is quite clearly the giant.
The World No 1 shot a 67 to post a 14-under total and take a four-shot advantage going into the last day. And he was allowed to compile his commanding position in relative isolation. Up ahead, McIlroy was putting on a show of rich drama that lurched from sublime to ridiculous and back again.
On the 11th he encountered what he called “one of the most bizarre moments I’ve ever had on a course”, when playing out of the rough, his ball flew towards the green and another ball, that had been buried in the rough, popped up and landed at his feet.
And on the next, a par-five, he experienced “one of the largest roars I’ve ever heard on a golf course” after he holed a 56-footer down the slope for an eagle. At this point, and amid this frenzy, anything and everything appeared possible.
The home crowd LOVE IT! ❤️
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
HUGE eagle putt from Rory McIlroy 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VDZtyViZmX
Yet six groups behind, Scheffler was calmly applying chilling reality to these fantastical scenes. One eagle, two birdies, no bogeys. His own three on a par five, came on the seventh, following the six pars with which he opened his third round. Scheffler holed a 10-footer, then hit it to 10 feet on the 10th and on the 16th, holed a 15 footer. There were not any fireworks Rory-fashion, but there were significant explosions Scottie-style. That is the way the Texan rocks.
Saying that, there was a sensational par save on the 11th that deserved far greater acclamation. Scheffler was in the thick stuff on the bank to the left of the green and bogey seemed the best for which he could hope. Somehow he chopped it out to eight feet and from there it was inevitable. Scheffler does not show much emotion, so the fist pump that greeted his ball dropping told its own story. He was on a bogeyless run and he intended to keep it like that.
The 28-year-old achieved his aim and he has one hand on the Claret Jug. This would be his fourth major, his second of the year, and leave him with just the US Open for him to emulate McIlroy’s glory at the Masters in April, by completing the grand slam. By the sounds of it, McIlroy is not expecting him to falter.
“When it comes to execution, Scottie’s the best in the business right now,” McIlroy said, after his 66 took him to eight-under and six behind. “The only thing that I can hope for is I get off to the same start that I got off to today, get the crowd really going, and then hopefully he might be able to hear that a couple groups back and maybe feel some pressure.
“But Scottie is amazing. He’s proved over the past two to three years that consistently he’s the best. He’s just so solid, he doesn’t make mistakes and he has 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. He’s incredibly impressive.”
Scheffler will play with Haotong Li, the Chinese who shot a 69 to reach 10-under, while McIlroy will tee it up alongside Matt Fitzpatrick, who is on nine-under after a 71. The Englishman pulled level with playing partner Scheffler courtesy of an eagle on the second where he chipped in, and although he also birdied the seventh to keep tabs on the American, he was ragged on the inward half. If he is to become the first Englishman to win The Open in 33 years, he might require something spectacular.
BEAUTIFUL chip for eagle by Matt Fitzpatrick 🦅 pic.twitter.com/JRmRRjbPjn
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
As will compatriot Tyrrell Hatton. The LIV golfer enjoyed his own magic moment from the fairway when he holed out from 140 yards on the seventh for an eagle. Hatton was all smiles, yet soon he was back to chuntering and wailing at the heavens, as he played the last 11 holes in level par for a 68 to end on the same mark as McIlroy.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is two further back after a 70 during which he hurled one club and smashed another club into his golf bag. Looking at the leaderboard, he realised that his dream was all but up.” Scottie’s by far the best in the world,” MacIntyre said. “At the start of this year when we checked the stats, Scheffler was further ahead of No 2 in the world than the No 2 was from me at 15th. He’s exceptional.”
Of course, nobody is unbeatable and on this layout strange things can and do occur. Lee Westwood certainly did not think he would be making history on the seventh tee when he was four-over for the day. Well, not history in the positive sense anyway.
But after going out in 40 shots, the 52-year-old tied the Open’s record for the lowest ever back nine - his 29 equalling that of New Zealander Ryan Fox here in 2019.
Westwood, who is on five-under and in a tie for 14th alongside Justin Rose, explained what changed. “On the 10th tee, my wife [Helen, who is also caddie] asked me if I’d like half a tuna sandwich,” he said, after signing a scorecard that remarkably contained seven threes in those last nine holes.
“If you start appealing to my stomach, then there’s only one way for me. She knows that nothing gets me going like a tuna sandwich.” Maybe she can make enough for all the field before the final round. Excluding Scheffler, naturally.
08:33 PM BST
That’s a wrap
Talking of tuna, that’s a wrap. Thanks for following and we’ll see you at the same time, same place, for tomorrow’s final round.
08:16 PM BST
Westwood’s secret
Lee Westwood revealed after his brilliant back nine of 29 that his wife had inspired his resurgent form by offering him a tuna sandwich. Helen Storey, who also caddies for him on tour, had urged him to eat after on the 10th after he had hit 40 on the first nine holes. “If you start appealing to my stomach, then there’s only one way for me,” he said of her tuna sandwich offer. “That’s that way... Nothing gets me going like a tuna sandwich... I’m going to have a tuna sandwich on the first tee tomorrow.”
08:12 PM BST
Loyalist parade provides bizarre soundtrack
The loud drums of a loyalist parade taking place in Portrush centre is already ringing across the course. More than 80 bands are due to take part in the parade from 8.30. Uniformed marchers with banners including “Ulster will fight” are already here, with armoured police vehicles keeping close eye from the narrow side streets of the old town.
Up to 2,000 participants are expected later. Bands attending include Coleraine based Freeman Memorial, which is named after a UVF man who died in an explosion in 1975. Tee times were brought forward by 15 minutes to keep the groups separated from golf fans.
Portrush Sons of Ulster reportedly turned down an offer of £20,000 from the R&A to postpone the event.
08:05 PM BST
Scheffler: “I know what I need to do”
Scheffler has just been interviewed, and he’s not giving too much away.
On his bogey-free round: “A clean card around a major championship golf course is nice, no bogeys is always a good thing, so I was able to shoot the right number today. I felt like I was doing the right things and I’m pleased with how I played today.
On how to win from the front as he has done his previous major wins: “Just staying patient myself. I know what I need to do tomorrow, it’s just a matter of going out there and executing, having fun and trying to play my best golf. Sunday will be a fun and challenging day.
What would it mean to him to win the oldest major: “I’m not thinking too much about tomorrow. I just want to try and get a good night’s sleep and then see if I can play some good golf tomorrow. It would be fun to win this but that’s not what I will be thinking about when I go to sleep tonight or step on the first tee tomorrow.”
07:58 PM BST
Scheffler in command
It’s Scheffler’s to lose now. If he plays anyway near the way he has done on the first three days then he will breeze to his first Open victory.
The good news for those hoping for a competitive finale is that the lead is four shots and not more – which it could easily have been, given the number of birdie putts he had.
That said, Scheffler’s three major wins to date have been by three, four and five shots respectively, which looks ominous for the chasing pack.
And if he does seal the deal tomorrow then he’ll be one US Open away from joining the exclusive Grand Slam club Rory joined in April.
07:50 PM BST
Scheffler finishes with four-stroke lead
That’s two quality tee-shots from the final pair who also both find the putting surface with their approaches.
They are applauded on to the 18th green but have their work cut out to finish with birdies.
Scheffler is slightly further from the hole so will go first.
Can he sink this 20-foot downhiller to move on to -15? Remarkably, no.
But that’s a bogey-free round by the leader and world No 1 who has given an absolute masterclass today, his scrambling particularly on point.
Fitzpatrick also goes close but equally settles for par, after wilting slightly in the sun.
He is nonetheless on -9, one better than McIlroy, who, having bested the leader by one shot today, will partner the Englishman for the final round.
Scheffler’s third-round 67 means he takes a four-stroke lead going into Sunday.
07:40 PM BST
Li will be in final pairing
On the 18th Rasmus Hojgaard misses a tiddler for a bogey, which puts him back on -6, level with his twin brother Nicolai.
Back-to-back pars means Hatton finishes on -8.
Brian Harman narrowly misses his birdie attempt on 18 to finish on six under.
Li has splashed out of the sand and has a nasty-looking 15-footer to save par. But he misses to the left.
An outstanding round of golf nonetheless leaves Li on -10, which means he has the honour of accompanying Scheffler on his victory lap, final round tomorrow.
07:32 PM BST
Fitzpatrick finds lip of bunker
Fitzpatrick’s approach shot is almost excellent but two yards short, which means it drifts off the green and towards a horrible-looking greenside bunker and somehow stays up. Quote how Fitzpatrick will play this heaven knows.
Scheffler almost does the same thing but his ball stays on the dance floor.
Fitzpatrick hits the ball away from the yawning sand trap and will have a tricky 10-footer back.
Scheffler, meanwhile, grazes the cup with a tremendous attempt. That’ll be another par.
And Fitzpatrick leaves his putt, which was bang on line, short. Bogey!
07:25 PM BST
Li birdies 17
Scheffler goes for an ambitious left-to-right tee shot on 17 but overcooks it and falls just short of the fairway.
It looks as though he has enough carry to miss the treacherous stuff but he is nonetheless in the light rough.
Fitzpatrick also misses what is a very hairy tee-shot into the wind and looks to be in the longer grass.
Meanwhile, Li is flying and manages to sink a similar putt to the one Hatton just missed, to move three behind Scheffler.
But he curses himself on 18, as he sends his drive into the sand.
07:19 PM BST
Scheffler birdies 16
It’s a 40-foot putt for Fitzpatrick, who lags it beautifully, and it stops a foot to the left of the hole.
Meanwhile, can Scheffler birdie the hardest hole on the course? Of course he can. It was a straight putt, made possible by his superb tee shot.
The world No 1 is putting on a clinic as he stretches his lead to four.
07:16 PM BST
Hatton misses birdie putt
On the 17th Tyrell Hatton gives his flat-stick a waft and attempts to sink a 20-footer. He’s not far off but that won’t be a birdie and the Englishman remains on eight under, five off Scheffler, who might be about to extend that lead.
07:14 PM BST
Scheffler in cruise control
Scheffler has the chance to extend his lead with a birdie putt on 15 but he misses to the left and settles for par.
Fitzpatrick is clinging on to his coat tails and does well to sink a long par putt to stay in touch.
The Englishman flirts with the dingly dell on the par-3 16th but carries the drop to land on the undulating putting surface.
Scheffler steps up to the tee and unleashes a nonchalent fading low stinger 250 yards, landing it on the upslope and giving himself another excellent birdie chance. He is quite a remarkable player.
07:05 PM BST
McIlroy: “The atmosphere has been electric all day”
It seems a lot of players are taking full advantage of the benign conditions at Portrush.
The sun has been shining all day making the conditions conducive to a low score.
Back-to-back birdies from Rasmus Hojgaard on 16 lifts him to seven under.
“The atmosphere has been electric all day” says McIlroy on Sky Sports, and describes his eagle putt as “one of the best moments I’ve ever had in my career”.
The Northern Irishman admits Scheffler has a big lead to claw back but says “if I can get off to a good start and keep playing like this you never know.”
On a similar note Lee Westwood says he felt “emotional” coming down the last having played so well at his favourite tournament. “It’s the best walk in golf,” he says.
06:58 PM BST
McIlroy finishes on -8
Up on 18 McIlroy hits a solid drive and a fine approach onto the green. He just misses his putt, leaving himself a tiddler for par to finish on 66 – 33 out and 33 in. That puts him on five under for the tournament, five behind Scheffler.
Talking of whom, the American finds trouble off the tee but somehow extricates himself from the rough with a powerful heave from the long grass. He now leaves himself an eight-footer for par, which of course he buries with a minimum of fuss.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick leaves his birdie putt short and I’m loath to say that’s a gimme because he’s missed a couple of those in the last couple of rounds. No mistake this time. He’s four behind his playing partner.
06:47 PM BST
Fantastic finish by Westwood
Westwood narrowly misses his final birdie putt – but no matter he’s just shot a 29 on his back nine.
Had that last putt disappeared he would have broken The Open record for the final nine holes but his long-range attempt shaved the hole.
Outstanding final nine from the 52-year-old.
06:43 PM BST
Fitzpatrick lips out for bogey
After bogeying 11 and getting a par on 12 Matt Fitzpatrick is hanging in there on 13.
He does everything right apart from the final stroke – he misses a gimme putt which horseshoes around the hole.
That’s a brutal miss.
Luckily for him Scheffler misses his birdie putt from 10 feet, while Haotong Li sinks a brilliant birdie putt to leapfrog Fitzpatrick into second place.
06:38 PM BST
More McIlroy magic
The local hero finds his ball and it’s playable (did he get the help of a sympathetic local?).
He then plays a glorious approach shot on to the 17th green to give himself an admittedly tricky birdie putt.
Meanwhile, Scheffler pars his third hole in a row.
Back to Rory and it’s a long old putt. Must be 20 feet at least. He hits it beautifully, it has the right distance but alas it stays above ground. He has to settle for a par which keeps him five shots behind the metronomic Scheffler.
06:32 PM BST
Another birdie for Westwood
That’s three birdies in the last four holes by Westwood on the 17th. He really is rolling back the years after coming through qualifying to play at Portrush. At present he’s on -5 – level with Justin Rose.
06:29 PM BST
McIntyre leaking oil
After three-putting on the 14th, Bob McIntyre finds the sand and plays a poor shot while trying to get it out of the orange stuff.
He slams his club against his bag in a fit of pique and then just misses with his attempted putt from off the green, which would have been a miraculous par save. The big Scot is leaking oil and he’s not happy about it. He’s looking at back-to-back bogeys.
Meanwhile on 17 McIlroy unleashes an errant drive off to the right again. And that’s in a world of trouble. “Any ideas?” he asks ruefully. He could be about to drop a shot here.
06:24 PM BST
Rose finishes in style
That is a monster putt from off the green by Justin Rose! The Englishman must have been 50 feet from the hole but he rolls it in for back-to-back birdies – and eight for his round of 68. Rose finishes on five under after a typically gutsy performance.
06:21 PM BST
Rory pars 16th
Ahead on the par-3 16th, Rory McIlroy gives himself a hole to dig out of as he goes right with his tee shot, missing the green. He manages a tricky chip to give himself a look at par, and then sinks the knee-knocker to the delight of the raucous locals. Rory is five points behind the leader.
06:16 PM BST
Superb par-save by Scheffler
Scheffler monetarily looked human after clumping his approach into the nasty looking mound of long grass next to the 11th hole. But the world No1 plays a glorious chip out of the rubbish onto the green, and then sinks a 15-footer as though he does it every day. Which I suppose he does. It’s a simply brilliant par and his round remains bogey free and three clear of the field on -13.
It did not attract any roars, but Scottie Scheffler’s up and down from the thick rough on the bank to the left of the green was ridiculous. The world No 1 does not show much emotion, so his little fist pump said it all.
06:07 PM BST
Rory to eight-under
Thanks to a birdie at the 15th. He stiffed his approach to three-feet and made no mistake with the putt. He’s on a roll and now five-back of the US metronome, Scheffler.
I’ll now leave you in the hands of Telegraph Sport’s very own club pro, Richard Aikman
05:59 PM BST
Westwood on a role
What a back nine Lee Westwood is putting together.
The Englishman has just sunk his fifth birdie in six holes at the 15th. He really is delighting the crowd at the moment.
05:57 PM BST
Brilliant round from Schauffele
It was a neat round from the defending champion Xander Schauffele, with a couple of eagles to help the scorecard.
He finishes with a round of 66 – as things stand you feel he is going to be a little bit far back to really challenge tomorrow, but you never know.
05:54 PM BST
Scheffler in ominous form
Scottie Scheffler takes the turn ahead by two with no blemishes on his card. His playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick was in real danger of slipping three back but then sank a six-footer for par.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy gets his 40-foot putt most of the way to the hole, but it’s only going to be a par for the Masters champion.
05:37 PM BST
Birdie for Scheffler
Rory McIlroy is delighting the Portrush crowd but Scottie Scheffler is simply going about his business. Scheffler follows his superb eagle at the seventh with a birdie at the eighth, as he curls in from 17 feet to move two ahead ahead of Matt Fizpatrick on -13.
05:31 PM BST
Never count McIlroy out
Rory McIlroy has produced an absolutely absurd putt to make eagle and reignite the Portrush crowd.
He was 56 feet away and ball looked to have stopped a few times but it kept rolling and dived into the hole.
What a response from McIlroy after bogeying on the last, by grabbing that shot back and getting to seven under.
I’ve been covering Open Championships for 24 years and the roars that greeted McIlroy’s 50 footer for eagle on the 12th is up there with loudest I’ve heard. He has truly got this crowd going.
The home crowd LOVE IT! ❤️
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
HUGE eagle putt from Rory McIlroy 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VDZtyViZmX
05:27 PM BST
Schauffele making a move
What a stunning third round Xander Schauffele is having! The reigning Open champion makes as birdie at the 15th to move to seven under par and within three of the lead
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler has an eagle chance at the seventh. He smashed his tee shot down the fairway and then played a sublime approach shot to give him a chance at an 11-foot eagle putt.
Of course, he sinks it! Perfection from the world No 1. Scheffler leads by two but only for a nanosecond, as Matt Fitzpatrick cuts that to one by holing his close-range birdie chance.
05:10 PM BST
Bizarre moment for McIlroy
Rory McIlroy appears to have been lucky with his ball resting in a clear patch between the bushes to the right of the 11th fairway.
However, he hits his ball and then on his follow through appears to find a second hidden ball (not his) that was found in the turf.
Whilst his ball is heading to the green, the other ball appears out of the ground at his feet. His approach shot comes up well short of the green and he has plenty of work to do to make par.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THIS BEFORE?! 🤯
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
A second ball appears as Rory McIlroy plays his shot 😱 pic.twitter.com/iQX29qxc69
04:56 PM BST
Hatton holes out for eagle
Take a bow, Tyrrell Hatton!
He holes out from 138 yards to make an eagle at the par-five seventh and he moves to eight under, just two shots behind the leaders.
Hatton has had to remain patient after seeing birdies galore and eagles happen in front of him. Brilliant play from the Englishman
Meanwhile, on the 11th tee Rory McIroy goes way right, but he seems to have got another good break. His ball seems to have come down at the feet of some spectators, rather than in a bush.
Despite "fatting it" Tyrell Hatton eagles the seventh 🤩 pic.twitter.com/zJY3kwvSuW
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
04:51 PM BST
Eagle for MacIntyre
The Scotsman was slightly left off the tee at the par-five seventh but then a brilliant approach onto the green and knocking it in from seven feet has certainly put the pressure back onto the leaders.
Here we go, the US Open runner-up is finally up and running during this third round.
Meanwhile, at the 10th tee, McIlroy has smashed his three-wood off the tee and gives himself a good birdie opportunity.
04:45 PM BST
Lowry battles illness in a difficult third round
Shane Lowry, reflecting on a third-round 74
“I haven’t eaten today yet. I tried to get a protein drink down me after eight holes and I felt like throwing up all over the place.
“It has been a tough day, but I’m not going to make excuses. I played poorly today and obviously had a bad finish.
“I felt like I ground it out really well to get to one under for the day through 13. Then a bad shot on 14 and a little bit of a bad break as well.
“You get home late and have to dust yourself off. Wake up at 2:30 with cramps in my stomach. I know we have it in the house. Ivy had a couple of days ago. Wendy had it yesterday. Me and Iris have it today. “
04:42 PM BST
Lost momentum for McIlroy
Rory McIlroy finds the rough off the ninth tee but he will be able to pick out the very back of the green.
Sadly, he lags his putt right up to the hole and it is another par putt from the Northern Irishman.
He has lost momentum after three birdies in the first four holes, but let’s hope another surge on the back nine could get him right up there with the leaders Scheffler and Fitzpatrick.
04:40 PM BST
DeChambeau and Rahm hit out at slow play
LIV pair Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau have been bemoaning slow play after their rounds – with the American calling for the majors to “time everybody for their whole entire round”. Rahm said the changeable weather at Royal Portrush has been a factor, with some players spending six hour plus getting around. “Umbrellas out, glove out, put the rain gear on, take the rain gear off, give the umbrella to the caddie – it becomes a lot longer that way,” Rahm said, before adding: “There’s very little you can do to make those rounds a lot shorter. That’s just the nature of the game.... It’s a bit of an adjustment after playing in LIV because we absolutely fly. The one thing we do, I feel like every round is less than four and a half hours unless the weather conditions are crazy.”
DeChambeau, however, said there was a “very simple” solution to getting players to speed up. “It’s not difficult at all,” he said. “You eventually time everybody for their whole entire round. Very simple. Nobody wants to do it – because people are too scared to get exposed, which I am an advocate for. I’d love to be timed, and I have no problem with that.”
04:29 PM BST
Hatton gets a birdie
Tyrrell Hatton gets his reward after missing some early birdie opportunities. The Englishman has remained calm and finally gets his reward.
He drives his tee shot up to the edge of the green at par-four fourth. It leaves him with just a tap in to get to six-under for the tournament.
He joins Rory McIlroy, who is four shots off co-leaders Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick.
04:26 PM BST
Missed opportunity from McIlroy
Frustrating for the Northern Irishman, as the ball slips just underneath the hole. It was a straightforward birdie following that incredible tee shot.
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler is showing signs that he is in fact human after a wayward shot is followed by a heavy-handed putt from off the green that goes past the cup.
But, the American makes no mistake from there as he converts for his par, before his playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick does the same to stay tied for the lead.
04:08 PM BST
Fitzpatrick eagles the second hole!
That is how you respond from an opening bogey. Matt Fitzpatrick chips in from off the green at the second, clipping his ball over the ridge and he is taking in the applause from the Portrush crowd.
Meanwhile, on the par-three sixth, Rory McIlroy has just smashed the ball 370 yards down the seventh fairway. Anything less than a birdie from here, McIlroy will be disappointed.
BEAUTIFUL chip for eagle by Matt Fitzpatrick 🦅 pic.twitter.com/JRmRRjbPjn
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
03:55 PM BST
Bogey for Fitzpatrick on first
Matt Fitzpatrick fluffs his lines from close range on the opening green in round three. Slight nerves from the Englishman? He is now two adrift from Scheffler, who cleans up his par at the first.
03:50 PM BST
Disastrous start for Harman
Terrible start for Brian Harman after he finds a greenside bunker at the first. His ball ends up back at his feet in the sand and he has to ultimately settle for a double bogey.
His playing partner Li Haotong makes a solid par to start.
03:41 PM BST
Scheffler and Fitzpatrick under way
Today’s final pairing of Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpartrick are under way. The world No 1, who leads Fitzpatrick by one, is safely on the fairway but Fitzpatrick has hooked his shot left into some long grass.
Who will make a charge on moving day? 🤔
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffler get underway 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8XfrU3fs6V
03:36 PM BST
Steady start for Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton takes the safe option by finding the right hand side of the first green. The Englishman could not emulate Rory McIlroy and he will settle for an opening par to his third round.
Meanwhile, back to the first tee, 2022 Open champion Brian Harman finds the opening fairway to begin his third round.
03:32 PM BST
Another birdie for McIlroy
This is utterly sublime from McIlroy. He steps up to his seven-foot putt and it lands in the middle of the cup.
The crowd go wild and the Northern Irishman is just four off the lead.
Meanwhile, it is back-to-back birdies for Justin Rose and a fourth in sixth hole as he putts successfully from the fringe of the green.
It is fair to say that the atmosphere is livelier than it has been all tournament at the moment. And that, of course, is all to do with Rory McIlroy. He has birdied three of the first four and from starting seven off the pace is now but four off Scheffler’s lead. At this stage he has actually taken two shots fewer than he did through the first four holes in his course-record 61 as a 16-year-old.
03:24 PM BST
Stunning from McIlroy
Rory McIlroy finds the fourth fairway and dials in stunning approach shot from 160 yards to leave a great birdie chance.
Meanwhile, Jon Rahm is finding some late form during his third round. It is a fourth birdie of the day with the Spaniard holing out from 15 feet at par-three 16th after his accurate tee shot into the green.
03:20 PM BST
Fleetwood on the move
Tommy Fleetwood brings a sublime front nine to an end with a birdie putt. He is three under for the first half of his round and up to four under for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Tyrell Hatton has picked up where he left off yesterday by punching his first tee shot up the middle.
03:12 PM BST
Triple bogey for Lowry
You have to feel for Shane Lowry, it’s not his week is it? After that penalty incident yesterday, he has now made a triple-bogey seven on the 14th.
Meanwhile, back at the first time, Robert MacIntyre has just thundered his drive down the fairway to get his third round under way.
03:06 PM BST
DeChambeau finishes strong
Bryson DeChambeau signs for a third-round 68 and nearly drains a birdie putt at the 18th. He almost reads it perfectly but the ball stops inches wide of the cup. He secures par and it is a good day for the American.
Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood is trying his best to keep his early momentum ticking along, but is getting a little frustrated. Another birdie chance goes for Fleetwood after his putt from the edge of the green at the par-five seventh goes long. The Englishman remains on three under.
03:01 PM BST
McIlroy sets up an eagle chance
Rory McIlroy catches a good lie in the first cut of the second fairway. He is lucky as his second shot takes a nice bounce left towards the green and settles on the middle of the green to leave little more than 25 feet for eagle.
Can he convert the opportunity? It was so near! McIlroy hits his putt right on line but it stops just a couple of inches short of the hole. McIlroy and the crowd cannot believe it but it is another stress free tap in for birdie to take him to five under.
The perfect start for the Northern Irishman.
02:56 PM BST
Wallace making his move
England’s Matt Wallace has made four birdies in the first seven holes. This has moved the Englishman to four-under for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Lee Westwood almost chips in from the rough for an eagle chance at the par-five second before his ball skims more 15 feet past the hole. It leaves Westwood with a difficult birdie try. Sadly, he cannot convert and it is a par putt for the Englishman.
02:48 PM BST
McIlroy holes monster birdie putt
Brilliant start from Rory McIlroy. No one expected an opening birdie from the Northern Irishman as he left himself with a heavily-breaking downhill putt from the right side of the green.
He read it perfectly, with just the right line and weight. The perfect start for the local hero and he goes straight to four under.
"Now THAT is the way you want to start your third round!" 🤩
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
Rory McIlroy with a sensational birdie putt 👏 pic.twitter.com/MGtHIZtagJ
02:42 PM BST
Rose and Aberg building momentum
Justin Rose and Ludvig Aberg make inroads on the par-five second, both registering birdies. Although, Aberg will feel unlucky as he was so close in knocking in an eagle putt from over 30 feet before it ended up inches short.
02:37 PM BST
McIlroy is under way
Rory McIlroy finds the opening fairway for the first time this week. Huge cheer of encouragement for McIlroy as he strides off the tee.
Meanwhile, his playing partner Jordan Smith also found the short stuff.
Rory McIlroy finds the fairway as he tees off Day Three at Royal Portrush ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/EIkzLDyz94
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
02:31 PM BST
Fleetwood making his charge
After three pars following his second-hole eagle, Tommy Fleetwood records his first birdie of the round at the sixth to get to three under par overall.
Meanwhile, Lee Westwood begins his third round. He is still in the mix at Royal Portrush, seven shots off leader Scottie Scheffler.
02:23 PM BST
Poor start for Rose
It is a second bogey of the tournament for Rose, after trudging off the green with a five after three-putting from 25 feet..
Meanwhile, his playing partner Ludvig Aberg secures par after picking his tee shot out of the bunker. He rectified the situation with a brilliant third shot to inside two feet and then knocked in for his four.
02:14 PM BST
Hole in one alert!
John Parry hits a hole in one the 13th and looks absolutely thrilled, with big high fives for his caddie! No special prize from the R&A for such a feat, but plenty of cheers from a jubilant crowd . . .
Stop what you're doing and watch John Parry's brilliant hole in one 🚨🎉 pic.twitter.com/vS3rrhfMy9
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
02:08 PM BST
Rose and Aberg under way
European players Justin Rose and Ludvig Aberg have got going at Royal Portrush. Poor tee shot from Aberg who dumps his ball in the bunker but Rose is more accurate. He finds the fairway as both players begin their third round at two under par.
02:05 PM BST
Finally, Lowry gets a birdie!
Is the momentum shifting for Shane Lowry? The ball has finally dropped on the green for the Irishman. He is back to level par for the tournament, and his playing partner Jon Rahm who also recorded a birdie three at the 10th.
Meanwhile, after a par on three following his brilliant long-range eagle on the second. Fleetwood had a solid attempt at this 33-foot birdie putt on the par-fourth. He finishes up for par to stay at two under.
01:58 PM BST
Decent start for Schauffele
Xander Schauffele pins his opening tee shot down the centre of the fairway. Meanwhile, his playing partner Ryggs Johnston bends his shot right and into the rough.
Schauffle has his work cut out, as he begins his third round eight shots adrift of compatriot Scottie Scheffler.
01:50 PM BST
Xander Schauffele under way
Reigning champion Xander Schauffele has begun his third round at Royal Portrush. The American is starting two under in the company of fellow American Ryggs Johnston.
Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth cards his second birdie of the round on the par-five seventh, getting him back to level par. His playing partner Viktor Hovland cannot take the advantage and has to settle for a par that keeps him in the red at -1.
01:43 PM BST
Fleetwood with an eagle
After a carding a bogey at the first, Fleetwood secures an eagle on the par-five second. A brilliant 282-yard second from the fairway left him 35-foot away on the right-hand side of the green.
Fleetwood judged it to absolute perfection as the ball found it’s way into the hole.
Elsewhere, Bryson DeChambeau has secured another birdie with a three at the 14th taking him back to -2.
"Bogey at the first, eagle at the second" 😳
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
What a response from Tommy Fleetwood 👏 pic.twitter.com/QfhXBgzHF1
01:28 PM BST
Wallace off to a flyer
A perfect start for Matt Wallace, who is off to an absolute flyer.
The Englishman has just birdied the first two holes to move to two-under for the round and tournament.
01:23 PM BST
Some big names are getting under way shortly
1:40pm: Xander Schauffele, Ryggs Johnston
1:50pm: Matthew Jordan, Kristoffer Reitan
2pm: Justin Rose, Ludvig Aberg
2:10pm: Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Harry Hall
2:20pm: Lee Westwood, Sam Burns
2:30pm: Rory McIlroy, Jordan Smith
2:45pm: Nicolai Hojgaard, Keegan Bradley
2:55pm: Chris Gotterup , Tony Finau
3:05pm: Robert MacIntyre, Harris English
3:15pm: Rasmus Hojgaard, Tyrrell Hatton
3:25pm: Brian Harman, Haotong Li
3:35pm: Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick
01:21 PM BST
Frustration for DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau was so close to another birdie at the 11th, but the ball stopped just short of the hole. He cuts a frustrated figure after a fourth successive par.
01:15 PM BST
McIlroy in good spirits
Rory McIlroy has arrived at Royal Portrush ahead of his 2.30pm tee time alongside England’s Jordan Smith.
Can he make a big move up the leaderboard and challenge Scheffler? I certainly hope so.
01:13 PM BST
Fleetwood’s third round under way
Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas’ third round is underway. Both players start at -1 and will be hoping to make big moves up the leaaderboard.
It is a good start for Fleetwood, as he smashes the ball straight down the fairway.
01:11 PM BST
Lowry struggling
Nothing is really happening for Shane Lowry at the moment. The par-five seventh offered promise for a birdie opportunity for Lowry, as he found the green in three. But from seven feet out, the putt just did not drop for him. So, he remains at +1.
01:06 PM BST
Robert MacIntyre back at Portrush
Is MacIntyre one of the best hopes of a European winner? He will certainly hope so.
The Scotsman has just arrived ahead of his 3:05pm tee time. He is currently five shots back from Scottie Scheffler.
12:58 PM BST
Hovland on the charge
Viktor Hovland makes it back-to-back birdies by rolling in a birdie putt at the par-three third.
Meanwhile, his playing partner Jordan Spieth was really unlucky as his tee shot threatened a hole in one but ended up just over the back of the green, with the American ultimately carding a bogey.
12:48 PM BST
Monster putt from Svensson on the sixth
Jesper Svensson has just holed one of the putts of the week on the sixth. The Swede is currently three-under through his first seven holes – an impressive start to his third round.
An impressive 75-feet putt from Jesper Svensson, who is three-under through his first six holes 🤩 pic.twitter.com/AD94xQ3fL1
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
12:43 PM BST
Rahm smiling at the fifth
After a difficult start for Jon Rahm, he finally has something to smile about.
Rahm rolls in a birdie putt at the fifth to get back to +1 for the round and tournament. The Spaniard raises his arms and celebrates with a smile.
Meanwhile, his playing partner Shane Lowry is looking for a birdie but it slips just past the hole.
12:39 PM BST
Scheffler arrives at Royal Portrush
Here we go, the cameras have just turned to the clubhouse entrance, where the man at the head of the leaderboard and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler has arrived.
He begins his third round alongside Matt Fitzpatricik at 15:35.
Scottie Scheffler arrives at Royal Portrush ahead of an important third round for the American 👀 pic.twitter.com/G2ok6WfPGB
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
12:28 PM BST
Brilliant start from JJ Spaun
The 2025 US Open champion JJ Spaun is off to the perfect start with back-to-back birdies in his first two holes. He brilliantly chips on to within three feet at the par-five 2nd and taps home for his birdie moving him to two under. Lovely work from the American.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau secures another birdie at the seventh and he currently sits two under.
12:22 PM BST
Tricky start for Rahm continues
Jon Rahm has dropped his second shot of the round, having gone long beyond the green off the tee.
Meanwhile, Shane Lowry missed a birdie opportunity on the par-three third, keeping him at one over for the tournament.
12:18 PM BST
Big names who missed the cut
Adam Scott could not follow up his promising performance at the U.S. Open, and Collin Morikawa ended his major season with only one top-20 finish.
Meanwhile, Sahith Theegala misses the cut after battling back from an injury that kept him out of the last two majors and Brooks Koepka could not overcome a minor knee injury he suffered earlier this week.
12:13 PM BST
Penalty drop for Lowry
Lowry’s ball did indeed end up in one of those bushes and Lowry has taken a penalty drop, putting him onto his fourth shot.
After a brief conservation with his caddie, he took a penalty drop, putting him onto his fourth shot. Lowry pitched the ball within a couple of yards of the pin but it then spun back and all the way down the slope to start at the beginning of the rough.
He has ended up walking way with a bogey six thanks to a 12-foot putt which has been a good recovery from Lowry.
He joins Rahm on +1 overall after the Spaniard missed a birdie opportunity.
12:06 PM BST
Trouble for Lowry
Shane Lowry found the fairway with his first, but his second shot towards the green on the par five has hooked left and into trouble.
The marshals are trying to locate the ball, which seems to have gone into one of those small bushes.
Meanwhile, Jon Rahm stayed straight with his tee shot but then came up short with his second from the fairway.
12:00 PM BST
Mixed bag for Lowry and Rahm
A mixed bag for both Shane Lowry and Jon Rahm at the first after both failed to find the fairway off the tee.
However, it was a brilliant recovery from Lowry from the left-hand rough, hitting a brilliant chip 197 yards on the top level at the back of the green. He judged his putt nicely to ensure himself par.
Meanwhile, Jon Rahm recorded a birdie and drops to +1 overall after he found the bunker with his tee shot before eventually getting up and down.
11:57 AM BST
Some big names are getting under way shortly
All times BST and US unless stated
12.00: Viktor Hovland (Nor), Jordan Spieth
12.15: Russell Henley, Antoine Rozner (Fra)
12.25: Romain Langasque (Fra), Daniel Berger
12.35: Sungjae Im (Kor), Dean Burmester (RSA)
12.45: Matt Wallace (Eng), Akshay Bhatia
12.55: Jason Kokrak, Lucas Glover
1.05: Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Justin Thomas
1.15: Aaron Rai (Eng), Rickie Fowler
1.30: Marc Leishman (Aus), Oliver Lindell (Fin)
1.40: Ryggs Johnston, Xander Schauffele
11:54 AM BST
Brilliant play for Stenson at seven
Another player making an early move is Henrik Stenson, who is four under through his first seven holes thanks to a brilliant eagle from just eight feet at the seventh.
11:41 AM BST
DeChambeau on the charge
Bryson DeChambeau finds another birdie on the the fifth to move under par. He has given himself another chance by finding the green off the tee the par-three sixth.
11:37 AM BST
Difficult start for Lowry
Not the ideal start for Shane Lowry who founds the rough on the left, while Jon Rahm is in the fairway bunker on the right.
Both players will be hoping today is a big moving day to bring them back towards the top of the leaderboard.
11:33 AM BST
Big cheers for Lowry at the first
Shane Lowry was not expecting to tee off until this afternoon after finishing his second round with a score of what he thought was -2, before that two-shot penalty came his way for moving ball.
Lowry has to adjust to being 10, instead of eight shots back as he arrives on the first tee to big cheers.
His playing partner Jon Rahm cut a frustrated figure at the end of his round yesterday and will be hoping for a better performance today.
Cheers for Shane Lowry and Jon Rahm as round three gets underway 👏 pic.twitter.com/mMZJvPkb6m
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
11:27 AM BST
DeChambeau back on track
After that disastrous tee shot at the first, DeChambeau responds with back-to-back birdies and cleans up with a 10-foot putt at the par-three third to move to evens.
Back-to-back birdies from Bryson DeChambeau 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nJsVxPhGzz
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 19, 2025
11:21 AM BST
Garcia just misses out on birdie at first
Another big name is under way with his third round at Royal Portrush. Sergio Garcia has just rolled his birdie attempt at the first slightly wide on the left-hand-side.
11:19 AM BST
Lowry hit with two-shot penalty for moving ball
There was late drama following the conclusion of the second round last when Shane Lowry’s hopes of another major victory at Royal Portrush suffered a significant setback after he was handed a two-shot penalty at the end of his round.
The 2019 champion reached the 15th hole of his second round when he was informed by an R&A rules official that he was under investigation, following an incident playing his second shot on the par-five 12th.
Footage emerged appearing to show Lowry’s ball moving during a practice swing in the rough on that hole, where the Irishman had made par, with his group – containing Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa – then asked to look at the video evidence post-round.
BREAKING
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) July 18, 2025
Shane Lowry was assessed a two-stroke penalty for this incident on the 12th hole.
According to @ToddLewisGC The R&A spent nearly 20 minutes reviewing the video with Lowry, Scheffler and Morikawa after the round.
pic.twitter.com/iJEAuP6gXM
Lowry was subsequently handed a two-shot penalty for causing his ball to move, turning his par into a double bogey and dropping him from two under back to level par.
11:11 AM BST
DeChambeau out of bounds off first tee
After his brilliant -6 second round got the two-time US Open champion into the weekend’s action, DeChambeau went very long and left off the first tee and his ball has finished out of bounds.
However, he has recovered well and will be relieved to be heading to the second tee with just a bogey.
DeChambeau found the fairway with an iron at the second attempt and landed his chip within seven feet and then holed his putt.
He will be eyeing an eagle on the second to get his round going on the course’s opening par five.
11:03 AM BST
Latest weather forecast
Royal Portrush saw periods of pouring rain throughout both the first and second rounds, a British Open tradition as old as the claret jug itself.
For today, those at the top of the leaderboard will have to contend with the slightly windier conditions when they tee off this afternoon – when the threat of rain also returns.
Conditions pretty well set fare at the moment.
10:58 AM BST
Who’s out early in the third round?
Bryson DeChambeau began his third round at 10:25 after his excellent -6 round yesterday, while Shane Lowry – who was dropped to level par by his two-stroke penalty – is paired with Jon Rahm at 11:30.
Full third round tee times can be found here.
10:50 AM BST
Preview: Scheffler holds halfway lead over Fitzpatrick with McIlroy chasing at Royal Portrush
Good morning and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of day three of the 2025 Open Championship which comes from Royal Portrush.
Matt Fitzpatrick’s impressive 66 put him in an excellent position to end a 33-year wait for an English winner of The Open, but he will have to get past the daunting figure of world number one Scottie Scheffler if he is to end the drought.
Just minutes after the 2022 US Open champion returned to the top of a major leaderboard, having posted a nine-under-par total at Royal Portrush, his American rival reeled off back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17 to snatch the lead from the Sheffield golfer’s grasp.
May’s US PGA winner looked in ominous form in getting to 10 under – his round of 64 included eight birdies, a missed putt at the last for another and just one bogey – and he looked as unruffled as ever, even as the heaviest rain of the week drenched the links for a good 45 minutes.
The last world number one to lead or share the lead after 36 holes of an Open was Tiger Woods in 2006.
He went on to win and on this evidence you would not back against the bookies’ favourite to claim his first Claret Jug and the third leg of a career Grand Slam.
But, if Fitzpatrick can maintain his rediscovered form, he may just have a chance.
Starting at four under, as one of the first-day co-leaders, he was the first to reach double figures following four successive birdies, having turned in a two-under 34.
His round exploded into life on the back nine and, when he hit a brilliant approach at the short 13th to six feet for a fourth birdie in a row, he was 10 under and two clear.
He gave a shot back at the 14th and missed the chance to restore his two-shot cushion with an inexplicable miss from three feet at the 17th but redeemed himself with a superb 23ft par save on the last, only for Scheffler to come charging past him.
“I’m giving myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there’s still a hell of a long way to go,” said the 30-year-old Yorkshireman, who will play alongside Scheffler in Saturday’s final group.
“Obviously the aim of the game is to stay in it for as long as possible and hopefully you can pull away right at the death. I’m 50 per cent there.
“I wouldn’t say I necessarily feel as much pressure [as Scheffler]. He’s going to have the expectation to go out and dominate.
“He’s an exceptional player. He’s world number one and we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff. I think the pressure is for him to win the golf tournament.”
Scheffler’s 64 was his lowest round in a major and he is the only player to birdie the notoriously-difficult short 16th twice to be five under for the par threes this week.
“I felt like I hit a few more fairways than I did yesterday, hit some really nice iron shots and was able to hole some putts,” said the American, who in his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday had spoken about being unfulfilled by his success in golf.
“I feel I am hitting the ball pretty solid and I am excited for the rest of the tournament. We are only halfway done.”
The 2023 Open champion Brian Harman raced through the field with a 65 to sit third on eight under alongside China’s Li Haotong, with Ryder Cup team-mates Tyrrell Hatton (69) and Robert MacIntyre (66) in a group tied for fifth on five under.
Masters champion and home hero Rory McIlroy is joint-12th after a round of 69 left him three under.
Category: General Sports
