Scottie Scheffler surges clear at 2025 Open Championship with Tiger Woods-esque third round display at Royal Portrush

Scottie Scheffler has established a four-shot lead ahead of the final round of the 2025 Open Championship.

After surging up the leaderboard on Friday, the world number oozed class through the third round to card a faultless 67.

An eagle on the seventh hole was followed by birdies at eight and 16 as the American capitalised on his nearest challengers faltering around him.

Despite posting a chip-in eagle at the second hole, England's Matthew Fitzpatrick would record three bogeys on the back nine to finish level-par for the day and drop five shots adrift of Scheffler.

China's Li Haotong will play alongside Scheffler on Sunday after a two-under-par round of 69, a bogey on the last preventing him from being just three shots back.

Where is McIlroy placed at Royal Portrush?

Rory McIlroy kept his home crowd entertained with a five-under 66, registering birdies on three of the first four holes and maintaining the momentum to end the day in a share of fourth position alongside three other players, including Tyrrell Hatton.

The defending champion Xander Schauffele also reached the clubhouse with a 66 to move into eighth, but 2023 winner Brian Harman carded a two-over round and is now in a tie for ninth.

That is where Scotland's Robert MacIntyre finds himself after playing the final seven holes in one-over par, essentially ending any chance of victory.

Written by
Darren Plant