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The 153rd Open - Day three digest
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The 153rd Open - Day three digest

Everything you need to know from Moving Day at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler opened up a big lead while home favourite Rory McIlroy moved into contention on day three of The 153rd Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Moving Day at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Scheffler builds commanding lead after patient start

World Number One Scheffler sits in pole position to claim his first Open Championship title after stretching his lead to four shots with a flawless third-round 67. Scheffler, who won his third Major crown at the US PGA Championship in May, went into the day with a slender one-stroke advantage before being caught at the summit after opening his round with six straight pars. But he regained the outright lead in style with an eagle on the seventh and never surrendered it again as birdies at the eighth and 16th moved him to 14 under par. He said: "Winning Major Championships is not an easy task, and I've put myself in a good position."

Parry makes amazing ace

England’s John Parry produced the first hole-in-one of The 153rd Open, with his tee-shot at the short 13th taking three bounces before disappearing into the hole, sending the crowd wild. "It was a great day and an experience I won’t forget, and making a hole-in-one,” he said. "I think I’ve had about ten (holes-in-one) but that's definitely the best one."

McIlroy's magnificent move

Local hero McIlroy flew out of the blocks on day three, sinking a brilliant 36-footer for birdie at the first, made possible by hitting the opening fairway for the first time this week. Further birdies at the second and fourth moved him to six under and within four of halfway leader Scheffler before he had teed off. The Northern Irishman parred the next six holes before dropping a shot on the 11th but he responded with an exceptional eagle from long range on the 12th. He then hit the flag with his approach at the 15th to set up a close-range birdie which moved him to eight under, and parred the final three holes to head into the final round on eight under par.

Fitzpatrick's tasty chip

Aiming to hunt down playing partner Scheffler at the top of the leaderboard, Matt Fitzpatrick did not get off to the best of starts on Saturday as he bogeyed the first to slip two shots behind the World Number One. But he bounced back in style, holing this chip shot from a tricky spot by the second green for a breathtaking eagle...

Rose finishes with a flourish

Justin Rose is used to wowing the crowds at The Open Championship and he was at it again on day three as he closed his round with a monster birdie putt from just off the 18th green to trigger one of the biggest roars of the day.

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