After that break out of the rough Hideki Matsuyama takes full advantage.

A brilliantly played birdie at the eighth ensures a two-shot swing and suddenly Viktor Hovland's lead is back in reach.

We've not mentioned Ludvig Aberg's compatriot Alex Noren yet but here he comes with back-to-back birdies around the turn.

He's up to 11 under par on an increasingly congested leaderboard.

That drop from Viktor Hovland is not a help for Ludvig Aberg who is coughing up a shot of his own one hole further along.

He slips out of the top spots.

Only one bogey all week for Viktor Hovland and he'll have to go some here to save that streak.

Oof, what an effort from 30 feet but his ball stops on the rim and stays up.

Bogey five to drop back to -13.

You wouldn't blame Viktor Hovland for looking rather enviously at Hideki Matsuyama who is also in the rough but has a far better lie.

So good in fact, he's been able to wizard that out and whistle in an approach that rolls round to about five feet.

Exquisite from the former Masters champion.

So Viktor Hovland moves back to about 150 yards and takes aim at the green.

He finds the putting surface but it does dribble away from the hole and he'll have 31 feet for par.

A miserable lie for Viktor Hovland in the thick heather down the right side of the eighth hole.

There;s a beautiful but deadly water hazard guarding the green so plenty of danger for the leader.

Ah clever from Hovland as he decides to take an unplayable drop and move backwards.

Not worth flirting with the water - probably a wise decision.

A birdie at the last closes out Rory McIlroy's third round. He'll go into the final day at five under par.

There's a warm shake of the hand for playing partner Shane Lowry who is two better off than his big pal at seven under.

Tomorrow these two will be separated for the first time this week.

Lovely from Richie Ramsay up at the eighth green as he slides in from four feet.

What an approach to set up that birdie chance and he's cashed in.

Another Viktor Hovland approach shot comes up a little short and leaves him a nervy putt for par.

Or at least it should be nervous but he's found the middle of the cup yet again.

Birdie for Hideki Matsuyama gets his round trending in the right direction once more. A share of second.

The birdie run dries up for Tyrrell Hatton at 13 as he drifts his 12 feet putt below the hole.

One of those steely glares follows and he'll stay four back.

Image source, Getty Images

Playing a few groups behind Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick is following his Ryder Cup team-mate's lead around the turn.

Back-to-back birdies for the Yorkshireman on nine and 10 see him join a gaggle of players jostling at 10 under par.

Any hopes Rory McIlroy had have clambering the leaderboard have come crashing down.

it's another double bogey for the world number two at the par-five 17th and he'll slip back to four under for the tournament.

On the bridge. In the heather. Can Ludvig Aberg close off a dramatic hole by limiting the damage to one shot?

Yes, he calmly rolls in from seven feet and allows a smile to cross his face.

One dropped shot after his sojourn into the wilderness feels like a let-off.

Image source, Getty Images

Tyrrell Hatton is running hot. In a good way.

Four birdies in a row from nine to 12 and suddenly he is into a share of fourth. Outstanding from the Englishman.

He's in this.

Unfortunately Justin Rose has not stopped the bleeding yet.

He escaped the bunker to four feet but scruffs it wide.

More woes for Rose.

Meanwhile back at the sixth, Viktor Hovland is trying to emulate Ewen Ferguson's monster putt from off the green.

Oh he's left it quite short. and looks rueful. No need though as the leader keeps his cool to pocket from six feet.

Stays two shots ahead - and that's likely to grow given Aberg's troubles.

It's a good job Ludvig Aberg is in a gleaming white polo shirt otherwise we would not be able to spot him amid the trees.

In fact, his ball is actually on a wooden bridge down there. Somehow he's avoided the ditch but it is not a fun place to be.

He gets out but there's a groan as his ball plunges into the heather.

The seventh is having its way with the Swede.

Trish Johnson
Former Europe Solheim Cup player on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

He's just got to hang in there and not blow himself out of the tournament.

In the third round at the Masters on the back nine, he went to pieces. We thought he looked totally done.

Then he came back and produced the most incredible last round. If he can just hang around, he's by no means out of it.

But he needs to stop the bleeding.

You've seen forests, right? Giant trees, thick undergrowth, overhanging branches.

Well, that's where we find Justin Rose down the sixth. So uncharacteristic from the Englishman.

Out he gets but his ball lands in a greenside bunker.