Since Rory McIlroy hoisted the US PGA Championship trophy at Valhalla, he has competed in twenty-nine majors, or 2,898 days have passed. McIlroy ascended to the top of the leaderboard shortly after a quarter past seven on the third day of the 150th Open Championship shortly after quarter past seven. He will begin the fourth round tied for this position and, more importantly, 18 holes behind Seve Ballesteros’ record of major victories.
The Spaniard would approve of McIlroy’s fifth-place finish at St. Andrews. McIlroy has never been closer to reaching this accomplishment in the nearly eight arduous years that have passed. Never before has he appeared more capable of doing it.
However, the 33-year-old will be fully aware of the arduous work ahead. Viktor Hovland, who shares 16 under par with McIlroy, is a difficult opponent for the Northern Irishman. On the third day, the combatants exchanged blows like boxing superstars. McIlroy and Hovland’s 66s felt just suitable as they separated themselves from the field.
Not that it would be prudent to dismiss all pretenders outright. The level of excellence exhibited by Hovland and McIlroy has made it tough to predict an alternate champion. At 12 under, Cameron Young and Cameron Smith are the closest to the leaders. Kim Si-woo is a shot behind the world’s No. 1 player, Scottie Scheffler. Kim’s 67 was the lowest score in the group on the third day.
Should McIlroy emerge triumphant, the focus will shift to the decisive moment of the third round. A 30-yard bunker shot is allegedly the most difficult in golf. At the tenth hole, where he holed out for an eagle, he made a mockery of that notion.
What is it about McIlroy and sand traps in big championships? He jumped for pleasure at Augusta National after sinking a putt from a greenside bunker on the 72nd hole. McIlroy punched the air to wild acclaim in Fife.
Hovland had escaped the traps. The Norwegian made four consecutive birdies beginning on the third hole. McIlroy, who squandered opportunities, was under pressure. His answer was that of a champion, with birdies on the fifth, sixth, and ninth holes preceding his heroics on the tenth. Hovland and McIlroy tied at 15 under par.
The ensuing advantage won by McIlroy at the 14th hole was wiped out at the penultimate hole. Hovland saved par from a path with skill. McIlroy’s second shot was long enough to give barely enough leeway for his backswing into the perimeter wall, preventing him from scoring higher than five. At the final hole, both golfers made birdies, their mutual appreciation for what had transpired over the previous four and a half hours being crystal evident.
After 12 holes, Dustin Johnson, the LIV rebel most likely to win the Open, was at 12 under par. He was three points behind the leader. At the 13th, 14th, and 16th holes, he was stopped by hazards. The former world number one did make a birdie on the final hole after a mishit drive, but at 10 under par, he needs a snooker to win.
Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are tied for ninth place at nine under par. Fleetwood achieved a score of 66. Tyrrell Hatton began the day with a score of -8 but slid to a score of 73. Hatton observed his companion Talor Gooch’s slow play with homicidal purpose.
This might be a spectacular weekend for the Italian amateur golfer Filippo Celli, who is in a prime position to win the silver medal. Celli is four under after a 71. He has his sights set on a larger reward next September in his native country. Celli stated, “I hope I’m that Italian golfer that will compete in the Ryder Cup in Rome.” It would be fantastic.
Shane Lowry chipped in for an eagle on the ninth hole and then repeated the feat on the tenth. Since 2001, such a circumstance had not occurred at an Open. Lowry had achieved nine under par at that point, so his position of minus seven after play was disheartening. The 2019 Open champion believes he has “zero chance” of winning the tournament again.
Lowry remarked, “Through the middle of the front nine, I felt like I was just going along okay, nothing special.” 9 and 10 occurred, and I felt like I was in the tournament.
“I am quite irritated and enraged, to be honest. I keep telling myself and others that you want to reach the back nine on a Saturday with the possibility to do something extraordinary. Today, I got myself there, but I did not perform. Therefore, it is disappointing.”
His score of 68 dropped him to minus eight. He stated, “I’ll probably take an ice bath tonight.” Ice baths in Scotland are far more difficult than those in Memphis. Fortunately, Spieth only visits these coasts during the summer.
Spieth said, “I need some sort of insane rain to arrive tomorrow to have a shot.” “Even if I shoot eight under par, I believe I will lose by more than three strokes. I’m in a situation where shooting seven or eight under par would result in a really strong finish and give me a great deal of momentum. There will be no “surrender.” It’s not as if I’m ranked 45th.”
Xander Schauffele made an eagle on the final hole, but his hopes were already lost due to two sixes on the back nine. Schauffele is currently at -5. Jon Rahm and Will Zalatoris have the same cumulative score. At 3.15 p.m., Justin Thomas carded the first birdie of the day at the par-five 17th, which played as a par three. Ryder Cup teammates McIlroy and Hovland reached this moment while still engaged in open battle. It was the pinnacle of sporting entertainment.
