Scottie Scheffler was quick to point out the British Open was only at the halfway point at Royal Portrush. Considering the world's No. 1 player was in the lead, it felt like a sprint Saturday for so many players to catch up.

Home favourite Rory McIlroy birdied three of his first holes to begin a third-round charge in perfect scoring conditions at the British Open on Saturday.

It was a return six years in the making, and it was a return that perfectly encapsulated Rory McIlroy. Making the trek back to Royal Portrush for The Open Championship -- now as a career grand slam winner -- the Northern Irishman experienced a topsy-turvy day as the hard stuff came easy and the easy stuff came hard.

Follow live coverage of the third round at the Open Championship as Scottie Scheffler looks to build his lead at Royal Portrush

Masters champion Rory McIlroy will hope to hunt down Royal Portrush leader Scottie Scheffler, with Matt Fitzpatrick also poised to challenge for the Claret Jug

Rory McIlroy made a dream start to Saturday’s third round at The Open Championship, firing in a long range putt to register birdie at the first – much to the delight of the army of fans following him around Royal Portrush.

The first round of the 2025 Open Championship saw Royal Portrush giving the 156-player field all it could handle as ever-changing weather conditions allowed the Northern Ireland course to show off its strength against the best players in the world.

The Open Championship continued on Saturday at Royal Portrush in Antrim, Northern Ireland as Rory McIlroy and other big name golfers chased leaders Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy found himself tied for 11th on the leaderboard at -5 as the day continued to unwind.

Scottie Scheffler is the No. 1 golfer in the world, but even he doesn't really understand the fuss. Just two days before the year's final major tees off, Scheffler admitted he doesn't understand "the point" of becoming the best golfer in the world - or an elite professional in any sport,