Scheffler wobbles slightly but still in command at Open
The American world number one began the day at Royal Portrush with a four-shot lead over China's Li Haotong but after birdies at the first, fourth and fifth he was eight clear.
On a warm day with light breezes and ample scoring chances, a few errors began to creep in but he responded in nerveless fashion by holing long par-saving puts at the sixth and seventh holes.
At the par-four eighth, however, Scheffler found a bunker and failed to get out at the first attempt, running up a double- bogey six for his first dropped shot since the 11th hole on Friday, the day he seized control of the tournament with a 64.
The 29-year-old did not seem at all fazed, though, as he promptly birdied the ninth to reach the turn at 16 under.
Galleries in their thousands arrived on the Dunluce Links hoping to cheer Rory McIlroy to a famous Open charge.
The 36-year-old local favourite, bidding for his second Open having lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool in 2014, got to 10 under by the turn with three birdies, but a double-bogey six at the 10th halted his charge.
Li was Scheffler's closest pursuer on 11 under with American Chris Gotterup and England's Matt Fitzpatrick on 10 under.
American Bryson DeChambeau showed what was possible as he shot a superb 64 to equal Scheffler's best of the week.
DeChambeau was in the clubhouse on nine under, a remarkable feat considering he shot a first-round 78.
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