Rory McIlroy makes strong start on day three to climb The Open leaderboard
He was true to his word with a brilliant 36-foot curling putt at the first, made possible by hitting the opening fairway for the first time this week, and his longest putt of the week produced a determined but understated clenched fist celebration.
Rory's in red.
He's away with a birdie on the 1st. pic.twitter.com/CBtyjvZ2mx
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2025
The Masters champion has the power to reach the 575-yard second into the wind in two and duly did so with an approach to 27ft from the right rough.
He could not hole his eagle attempt but settled for a birdie, with a brilliant approach to seven feet at the par-four fourth gaining him another shot to get within four of 10-under leader Scheffler, who had still to take to the course alongside England's Matt Fitzpatrick.
Up ahead of him, Russell Henley was putting together a decent round with five birdies and an eagle, with only one bogey, through 12 holes to also get to six under.
Magic on 13.
It's a hole-in-one for John Parry. pic.twitter.com/uNw5j9JMyP
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2025
Former US Open champion Wyndham Clark shot a five-under-par 66 to get himself to five under.
The highlight of Yorkshireman John Parry's day was holing a 199-yard eight iron for an ace at the 13th in a round of 67 which saw him finish three under.
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