World number one Scottie Scheffler says he is "excited" for the challenge to win his first Open Championship on Sunday.
The American carded a third round 67 to go into the final round 14 under par and four shots clear of China's China's Li Haotong.
Image source, Getty ImagesXander Schauffele won the Open at in 2024 at Royal Troon
Defending Open champion Xander Schauffele says he does not feel he is in contention to retain his title.
The two-time major champion eagled the seventh and twelfth in a third round of 66 that leaves him seven shots off leader Scottie Scheffler.
World number one Scheffler carded a bogey-free round of 67 to take a four-shot lead into the final day, with China's Li Haotong on 10 under and England's Matt Fitzpatrick one shot further back.
"I needed three more today to feel like I'm somewhere close enough to whatever Scheffler, Fitzpatrick or Li are going to post," Schauffele said.
"I'm so far back, but who knows with the weather and whatnot. I believe in myself and what I can do.
"Hopefully just try and shoot something and give myself a lot of opportunities."
The 31-year-old, who won last year's Open at Royal Troon, was happy to share the course with home favourite Rory McIlroy and his legions of supporters.
"I'm glad he's playing well for his home country," Schauffele said of McIlroy.
"It's what golf needs and entertainment is 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."
Image source, Getty ImagesShane Lowry was assessed a two-stroke penalty after the end of his second round on Friday
Former champion Shane Lowry said his Open Championship at Royal Portrush has been "hard to take" after a shooting a three-over-par 74 in his third round on Saturday to sit three over for the tournament.
The world number 18, who lifted the Claret Jug when the championship was last staged at the Northern Irish links in 2019, was assessed a two-stroke penalty for his ball moving during a practice swing after his second round on Friday.
He then returned to the course for his third round suffering from a virus.
"To be honest, I'm gutted," said the Irishman.
"I wanted to do well so badly today and this week. I put so much into this week that, yeah, it's hard to take.
"The annoying thing for me today is I didn't get to enjoy today as much as I would have liked - Saturday at The Open in your home country, I should enjoy it a lot more than I did, just because of how I felt."
Lowry, who said he "was not too keen" to discuss the penalty incident for a second time, birdied the 13th on Saturday to get back to level par for the championship but followed that with a quadruple bogey on the next hole and dropped a further shot at the 17th.
He said his illness contributed to a "lack of energy" in the closing stretch of holes.
"Honestly, every bathroom I went in and tried to throw up, I couldn't," he added.
"It's just such a bad feeling. I think lack of energy towards the end maybe did me in.
"Look, I don't want to make excuses. It is what it is. It's just really bad timing, obviously."
Watch: Jamie Dornan on his love of golf and Rory McIlroy
Jamie Dornan has been speaking to BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson at Royal Portrush on his love of golf, being a member at the famous course and Rory McIlroy.
World number one Scottie Scheffler shoots a brilliant 64 to lead the 153rd Open Championship at the halfway stage at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland.
Lee Westwood and Bryson DeChambeau make an impression in the best shots from day two at The Open.
Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist at Royal Portrush
Image source, Getty ImagesMajor winners Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith and Collin Morikawa all failed to make the weekend
On Thursday 156 golfers took to the tee with hopes of lifting the Claret Jug. Now, only 70 remain.
At the sharp end, Scottie Scheffler, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Brian Harman and Li Haotong made their moves up the leaderboard.
And while Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Wyndham Clark all made the final two rounds,
Here is a look at some of the big names who will not feature over the weekend in Northern Ireland.
Collin Morikawa (+7) and Cameron Smith (+8), who won in 2021 and 2022 respectively, were two high-profile casualties with disappointing weeks at seven and eight over.
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka (+7), who works with local caddie Ricky Elliott, shot seven over as his difficult run of form in the sport's biggest events continued.
Jaoquin Niemann (+2), who has won four LIV Golf events this year, narrowly missed out.
US Ryder Cup team-mates Patrick Reed (+5) and Patrick Cantlay (+3) both missed out, as did 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (+6) and two-time major winner Zach Johnson (+3).
The Australian duo of Adam Scott (+9) and Jason Day (+2) fell short.
Two former Open winners have also missed out in the shape of two-time champion Padraig Harrington (+9) and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke (+6), who won in 2011.
Also missing out is Clarke's fellow countryman Tom McKibbin (+3).
