Summary

  • Full coverage of day three of the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush

  • World number one Scottie Scheffler holds four-shot lead at -14

  • China's Haotong Li will partner him after closing at 10 under par

  • A level par round of 71 leaves Matt Fitzpatrick at -9

  • Rory McIlroy shoots five-under 66 to finish at -8, alongside Tyrrell Hatton

  • Defending champion Xander Schauffele of USA closes at -7

  • England's John Parry makes hole-in-one at 13th

  • Full leaderboard

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

  • Highlights of round three available from 20:00 BST - UK only

  • Get involved: #bbcgolf, text 81111 or WhatsApp 03301231826

Live Reporting

Paul Higham, Phil Cartwright, Joe Bradshaw, Ros Satar and Henry Cowling

  1. Gotterup closes on eight under

    Gotterup -8 (68)

    Chris Gotterup at The OpenGetty Images

    Chris Gotterup has just wrapped up his round with a par at the 18th.

    A three-under 68 from the Scottish Open winner and he'll go into Sunday eight under.

    One to keep an eye on tomorrow.

  2. Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -10 (15)

    No need for a miracle chip straight into the cup for Matt Fitzpatrick today - he's on the green but 50 feet away for birdie.

    Scottie Scheffler drills his tee shot with a touch of fade and he's bang on line, about 15 feet short.

    Another birdie chance incoming for the leader.

  3. Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -10 (15)

    2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke talks us through Hole 16 at Royal Portrush

    This is the next hole for our final group.

    It was here on Thursday that Matt Fitzpatrick slamdunked from way down the slope.

    He'd love a repeat this afternoon!

    'Oh my word!' - Fitzpatrick slam dunks for a birdie

  4. Birdie for Fitzpatrick

    Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -10 (15)

    Matt Fitzpatrick on day three of The Open, PortrushGetty Images

    Scottie Scheffler was almost walking after his birdie putt before he'd even hit it. Another par for the world number one.

    Matt Fitzpatrick finds the cup from 15 feet, though! Back into a share of second place and three behind the leader.

  5. Li leaves it short

    Li -10 (16)

    Li Haotong hits a beauty to the 16th green but his birdie try is a weak one that pulls up well short. You'd say it was a nervy stab but he's been pretty aggressive with the flat stick all day so a strange one to throw it at this stage.

  6. Bradley finishes solid round

    Bradley -4 (70)

    Keegan Bradley at The Open 2025Getty Images

    US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley brings a composed round to a close.

    One under par on the day for the American, which takes him to four under in the championship.

    Those Ryder Cup player-captain debates aren't going to go away any time soon, are they?

  7. Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -9 (14)

    Matt Fitzpatrick's approach just clings on to the putting surface, so Scottie Scheffler - whose second landed in a good spot but took a bounce forward before coming to rest - will putt first from 25 feet.

  8. Hatton drops a shot

    Hatton -8, R Hojgaard -7 (16)

    Tyrrell Hatton on day three of The Open, PortrushGetty Images

    Tyrrell Hatton drops a shot for the first time today.

    He goes well long with his tee shot on the par-three 16th and a 25-footer for par stays up. Hatton back to eight under.

    Meanwhile, his playing partner Rasmus Hojgaard floats in his birdie putt from six feet to move to seven under for the tournament.

    The Dane has made three birdies in the space of five holes and that run has nudged him just ahead of twin brother Nicolai, who is at six under playing the 18th.

  9. Watch: McIlroy's dream start

    McIlroy -8 (66)

    'He's enjoying this' - Three birdies from the opening four holes for McIlroy

    It was a while back now, so catch up on how Rory McIlroy started of his round today - and make sure the volume's on....

  10. Schauffele enjoying Rory fanfare

    Fans cheer Rory McIlroy at The Open 2025.Getty Images

    Xander Schauffele says he's enjoying the atmosphere for Rory McIlroy at Portrush:

    "It's cool. I'm glad he's playing well for his home country. It's what golf needs and entertainment's high. I was on the 17th tee when I heard the reaction to him at the 12th. I assumed it was eagle. I was pretty far away and it was very loud. It looks like he's enjoying it and it looks the like the fans are enjoying it too, which is great for this event."

  11. Scheffler saves par

    Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -9 (14)

    As well as others are playing, you just can't see Scottie Scheffler buckling at all. He's absolutely rock solid.

    A slightly breaking putt from 10 feet finds the middle of the cup for par.

  12. McIlroy -8 (66)

    Andy Gray
    BBC Sport NI at Royal Portrush

    'Go hunt 'em down tomorrow, Rory!' was the rallying cry from the crowd as McIlroy walked off the green.

    The slightly problem is 'em' is Scottie Scheffler. But he's given himself hope and this home support will dare to dream for tomorrow.

  13. 'McIlroy round slowed down'

    McIlroy -8 (66)

    Graeme Storm
    Two-time European Tour winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

    His first four holes were electric but it just slowed right down.

    To be fair, he kept on attacking and giving it his best shot and if it wasn't for Scheffler he'd probably think he's well in with a chance.

    He's just got to wait and find out how Scheffler will finish.

  14. McIlroy shoots 66

    McIlroy -8 (66)

    Rory McIlroy at the Open ChampionshipGetty Images

    Again it was another wonderful effort from long range from Rory McIlroy as the ball just rolls up to a foot away, cheered on all the way by the crowd, but just won't drop.

    There's just been a few too many of those today, and not enough approaches stuck close enough because otherwise he's played beautifully for his 66 today.

    At eight under though he's five shots behind Scottie Scheffler, and even if it stays five shots that's a huge swing against the world number one in this form.

    If this crowd has anything to do with it though...

  15. McIlroy -8, Smith -2 (17)

    Matt Gault
    BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Royal Portrush

    Humans. Thousands and thousands of them, all hushed in anticipation on the 18th.

    We don't know when Portrush will host The Open again and, when it does, if McIlroy will still be one of the world's best. The fans today have been keen to savour every moment.

    Now, can he finish moving day in style?

  16. Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -9 (13)

    Things are a lot calmer at the 14th. You could hear a pin drop in comparison to the 18th!

    Scottie Scheffler hacks his way out of the rough and he's about 10 yards short of the green.

    A chance to save par from there.

  17. Onto the final green

    McIlroy -8 (17)

    Blinded by the sun a bit, Rory McIlroy punches in his approach to the right side of the green, a long way from the flag but he's on the dancefloor.

    And the noise as he walks up to the putting surface is what you'd expect - immense. I shudder to think what will happen if he manages to drain this one from 45 feet...

  18. Where's Rory?

    McIlroy -8 (17)

    Golf's version of Where's Wally?

    Rory McIlroy in a sea of his fans at Royal Portrush...

    Open ChampionshipGetty Images

  19. Scheffler -13, Fitzpatrick -9 (13)

    Problems for Scottie Scheffler off the tee on 14.

    The left arm immediately juts out after striking the ball, and he looks as though he's landed in some thick rough.

    Matt Fitzpatrick is safely on the short grass.

  20. English stays in touch

    English -8, MacIntyre -6 (15)

    Another inch up the leaderboard from Harris English who continues to cling on here.

    It was a brilliant second shot at the 15th to within four feet and he's up to eight under par.