Image source, Getty Images

The thing about champions is they know when to push - and whether Xander Schauffele spotted the leaderboard or not, he knows he can win this thing now as he rolls in a second consecutive birdie to lead by two.

We're talking inches again for Justin Rose as he comes agonisingly close to a birdie on 14 and he's now three behind.

Xander Schauffele is feeling it now - he's been pretty much coasting without anything particularly spectacular until the last few holes, with his two birdies just seeing him step on the gas.

That long putt on the last was huge and now he's found the green safely on 14 with another long birdie putt coming up he could easily increase the lead he's now got after Lawrence dropped a shot.

Frustration for Scottie Scheffler as again he's awry with his usually stellar iron play.

He gets up and down for par but it's not been his best on the back nine.

Great cheers as Dan Brown drains from 29 feet though. He's dug in today and gets his reward.

Catriona Matthew
Captain of Team Europe at the 2019 & 2021 Solheim Cup

You wonder if these are now really must-makes for Justin, especially after seeing Xander hole his.

Someone of Xander’s quality - you can’t let them get too far ahead with only a few holes to go.

Another par for Shane Lowry at the 15th. With three holes left it's got to be now or never for the Irishman.

Richard Winton
BBC Scotland at Royal Troon

Now we’re getting to the tickly bit…

Image source, Getty Images

Justin Rose hits what looks a nice putt, but he's not read it right as a despairing look towards his caddie shows - he was certain that would break left but it clung to its line to just slide by the right edge.

Schauffele has the lead on his own and is two in front of Rose now.

The back nine of a major is where things get done - and the pressure has just ramped up on Thriston Lawrence.

Out of the rough and 14 feet for par, but he misses. First shot dropped today.

A good number of you seem unwilling to put your names on these terrible puns.

We don't have that option!

Tremendous putting from Xander Schauffele as he knocks in a birdie putt from 16 feet that just tracks and breaks softly to his right and drops in the cup.

No real hint of emotion from the American as he piles the pressure on Justin Rose.

A chink in the armour of Thriston Lawrence as his full-throated second shot out of the rough skips over the other side of the fairway and careers into the spectators lining the other side.

Better result for Billy Horschel as he slaps his on the green but 27 feet is an unlikely birdie shout.

After missing three of the last four greens, Justin Rose finds the 13th - and finds it in style by plonking a nine iron eight feet from the flag.

Xander Schauffele does something pretty similar when following Rose so we'll have two birdie putts coming up...

No birdies for Scottie Scheffler or Dan Brown at the par-three 14th but it's a scrambled par for the world number one as again he comes out of the sand.

He's only got four holes left to threaten.

No chance this tournament is sewn up yet.

Thriston Lawrence and Billy Horschel have both battered their tee shots at the 12th into the thick stuff lining the left side of the fairway.

Plenty of trouble over there.

Apologies if the updates slow slightly. As a team, we're currently embroiled in a huge round of fish gags.

And you guys aren't helping...

A Scheffler update as he thrashes his way out of the rough right of the 13th fairway.

He's given himself seven feet for par - and sunk it.

That's what he should have done at the ninth!

Image source, Reuters

That miss from the fairway costs Justin Rose a shot as he can only leave himself 20 feet after getting back onto the green from that hollow - although he has a super try that just burns the edge.

Xander Schauffele makes par so is now on his own in second.

Shane Lowry is going to start to run out of holes soon. He needs another glut of birdies like earlier in his round, even though the back nine are much more challenging.

The Irishman chips out of the bunker at the 14th hole then holes the putt from about eight feet. Par.

Andrew Murray
Former European Tour winner on Radio 5 Live

Really impressive. The wind has calmed down and turned a little - it is probably about as easy as it has played all day.

Four supreme shots from both players and Thriston Lawrence looks unmoved by everything around him.

Follow the closing stages of the 152nd Open on BBC Radio 5 Live, via the link at the top of this page.