British Open: Scheffler Four Shots Clear Ahead of Final Round

Scottie Scheffler builds a 4-shot lead ahead of the final round at the British Open, with Rory McIlroy and Li Haotong chasing. Get the latest updates from Royal Portrush.

World number one Scottie Scheffler is on the brink of claiming his maiden British Open title, stretching his lead to four shots with a flawless third-round 67 at Royal Portrush. Scheffler carded a bogey-free, four-under par round to reach 14-under for the tournament, showcasing his dominance despite some impressive play from Rory McIlroy.

The American golfer strengthened his grip on the Claret Jug with an eagle on the seventh hole and never looked back, adding birdies on the eighth and 16th holes. His nearest challenger, China's Li Haotong, sits ten under after a solid 69, while Matt Fitzpatrick trails Scheffler by five shots in third place.

Home favorite Rory McIlroy delighted the crowd with a five-under 66, featuring a stunning eagle putt on the 12th, but he'll need a near-perfect round on Sunday to catch Scheffler. McIlroy praised Scheffler's consistency, saying, “Scottie Scheffler is inevitable, even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he's the complete player.”

Scottie Scheffler extended his lead to four shots with a stellar third-round 67, putting him on track for a maiden Open title. The world No. 1 is chasing his fourth major title and the third leg of a potential career Grand Slam, having built a one-shot overnight advantage into a commanding four-shot lead. Scheffler's recent form in Northern Ireland has been exceptional, with 10 consecutive top-10 finishes, including three wins.

Scottie Scheffler stands on the cusp of history, poised to become the first world No. 1 to win the British Open since Tiger Woods in 2006. China's Li Haotong holds second place, 4 shots behind Scheffler, after carding a solid 69 to finish 10-under overall. England's Matthew Fitzpatrick trails Scheffler by 5 shots in third place, following a 71 that saw his challenge fade.

If history holds true, Scottie Scheffler is your Open Champion. 👀

(H/T: @JustinRayGolf) pic.twitter.com/qEl1WeJhSp

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) July 19, 2025

Rory McIlroy thrilled the crowd with a scintillating 66, carding five-under par to reach eight-under overall. However, he'll need a near-miracle on Sunday to overhaul Scottie Scheffler, who extended his lead to four shots. Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick briefly kept pace with Scheffler, chipping in for an eagle on the second hole, although Scheffler dropped a shot around the same time, three-putting for par.

Scheffler regained his footing with an eagle on the seventh hole, followed by a birdie on the eighth, pulling clear of the field once more. He navigated the challenging course with poise, escaping trouble with a clutch par save on the 11th after finding thick rough and then scrambling again on 14.

Scheffler further cemented his lead with a birdie on the notorious 16th hole, “Calamity Corner,” and wrapped up his round with two pars. Meanwhile, Li Haotong stayed in contention, reaching the turn at nine-under, four shots behind Scheffler. Li made three birdies on the back nine but dropped a shot near the end, keeping him in second place.

Matt Fitzpatrick's challenge faltered as he carded three bogeys on the back nine, leaving him five shots behind Scottie Scheffler. The Englishman had been just two shots off the lead at the halfway point of the third round, but his chances of becoming the first English winner since Nick Faldo in 1996 now look slim.

McIlroy Keeps Hopes Alive

Rory McIlroy made a strong start, carding birdies on the first and second holes to keep his title hopes alive. The home favorite, starting seven strokes off the pace, received a massive roar for a 36-foot birdie putt on the first green.

McIlroy's momentum continued with a towering iron shot on the fourth hole, bringing him to within four shots of Scheffler. However, his putter cooled off for the rest of the front nine, and a bogey on the 11th, after an unusual bounce from his approach shot, threatened to derail his chances.

McIlroy bounced back with style, sinking a 56-foot downhill eagle putt on the 12th hole to the delight of the crowd. He followed up with another birdie at the 15th, courtesy of a brilliant shot from the rough, keeping his hopes alive before Scheffler's strong finish.

“Scottie Scheffler is inevitable, even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he's the complete player,” McIlroy told Sky Sports.

Scottie Scheffler said winning golf tournaments is ultimately, not satisfying.

Without saying it, he iterates that athletic accomplishments are great, but it’s like striving after the wind. The only thing that satisfies, ultimately, is Jesus Christ.

pic.twitter.com/SLvcsGtTuf

— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) July 15, 2025

“But if I can get out tomorrow, get off to a similar start to today, get the crowd going, hopefully he feels that a couple of groups behind me.”

Rory McIlroy sits level with Tyrrell Hatton, Harris English, and Chris Gotterup at eight-under par. Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele carded a 66, including two eagles, to reach seven-under. Lee Westwood made a remarkable recovery, posting a record-low 29 on the back nine after struggling to four-over on the front nine.