PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland. — Scottie Scheffler kept a cool hand on the tiller to stay on course for his first British Open title with a serene 67 on a spectacular day of shot-making in Saturday’s third round.
Birdies and eagles rained down on a sun-kissed Royal Portrush links with home favorite Rory McIlroy, England’s Tyrrell Hatton and defending champion XanderSchauffele all tucking into the scoring feast.
Thunderous roars wafted across the County Antrim coast, the loudest for some McIlroy magic, but world No. 1Scheffler 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-time 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.
After his majestic second-round 64, the 29-year-old Scheffler was becalmed early on Saturday and three-putted for a par five at the second hole.
Playing partner Fitzpatrick missed a par putt on the first but responded with an eagle at the second to join Scheffler on 10 under.
The American sparked into life at the 607-yard seventh with an almost routine eagle three before a birdie at the eighth. Unflappable all day, he avoided any mishaps on the back nine, saving par on the 11th after a rare error.
A birdie at Calamity Corner, the cavernous par-three 16th, maintained his cushion. Scheffler has won the last nine times he has held the 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour.
The 36-year-old McIlroy 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. – Reuters
