Scottie Scheffler Leads Open Championship, Rory McIlroy Trails at Royal Portrush

Rory McIlroy delivered a strong performance in the third round of The Open Championship 2025 at Royal Portrush, shooting a 5-under 66 to move into a tie for fourth, though he remained six strokes behind the leader, Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy praised Scheffler's form, acknowledging it would be tough to catch the World No. 1 if he maintained his current level of play. During the round, McIlroy amazed fans with a rare moment where he struck two balls in the rough simultaneously, sparking social media excitement despite making a bogey on that hole. The supportive crowd at Royal Portrush cheered McIlroy enthusiastically throughout the day, with a highlight being his 56-foot eagle putt on the 12th hole, creating one of his most memorable moments on a golf course. Both players are aiming for their fourth wins and second majors of the season, with Scheffler closer to completing a career Grand Slam. McIlroy is set to tee off alongside Matt Fitzpatrick on the final day, while Scheffler will play with Haotong Li.