Scheffler Leads Open Championship, Eyes Fourth Major

Scottie Scheffler is on the verge of securing his fourth major championship. He has established a significant lead at the Open Championship in Portrush, Northern Ireland, after the third round.

Scheffler's performance included a solid 4-under-par 67 at Royal Portrush, bringing his total score to 14-under 199. His closest competitor is Haotong Li of China, who is at 10 under. The majority of the field played well, with many shooting under par and several players achieving eagles. Scheffler maintained a bogey-free round, solidifying his position at the top.

Matt Fitzpatrick, paired with Scheffler, stayed close for a portion of the front nine before finishing with an even-par 71. He is currently in third place at 9 under. Both Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton, who is at 8 under, still have a chance to become the first Englishman to win the Open since 1992.

Rory McIlroy, a local favorite, is hoping to make a comeback from six strokes behind. His day included an unusual shot where he found another golf ball buried in the rough, followed by a 56-foot eagle putt. He finished with a 66.

McIlroy and Hatton are tied at 8 under with Chris Gotterup, the Scottish Open champion, and Harris English. Defending Open champion Xander Schauffele had two eagles in his round of 66 and is in eighth place at 7 under.

Scheffler's round included a crucial par save at the 14th hole. He then extended his lead with a birdie at the par-3 16th.

Fitzpatrick started with a bogey but quickly recovered with an eagle at the par-5 second hole, tying Scheffler for the lead. Hatton also made an eagle, holing out from 139 yards at the 7th hole.

Scheffler began his round with six consecutive pars. He then made an eagle putt at the 7th hole, followed by a birdie at the 8th, reaching 13 under.

The 11th hole proved to be a critical point, as both Scheffler and Fitzpatrick struggled with their drives and second shots. Scheffler managed to save par, while Fitzpatrick made a bogey, giving Scheffler a three-shot lead over him and Li. Fitzpatrick had two more bogeys and a birdie for the remainder of the round.

Li, a 29-year-old with four DP World Tour wins, has one top-10 major finish. He leads the field in greens in regulation, fewest bogeys or worse, and par-4 scoring. He will be the first player from China to play in the final Sunday pairing at a major.