Rory McIlroy has the chance to end his eight-year major drought and capture golf’s ‘holy grail’ as he takes a share of the lead in the final round of the Open Championship at St Andrews. McIlroy is atop the Open leaderboard from Victor Hovland after the pair shared a thrilling battle on Saturday, with both players shooting rounds of 66 to move four shots clear of the chasing pack. McIlroy and Hovland will go out together again, this time in the final group, but in front of them is a large group of stars who will try to apply pressure. Australia’s Cameron Smith, who led at the weekend, is four shots back alongside Cameron Young – with world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and former Masters champion Dustin Johnson also in contention. England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood will also hope to be in the hunt, but the focus will be on McIlroy as he looks to win his fifth major title and add to his previous Open Championship since 2014. It’s no bigger than winning the Open at St Andrews, though, especially in the 150th year of the Championship. “I’m in a great position after three days,” McIlroy said. “I’ve finished enough golf tournaments in my time to feel like I know what to do.” Follow live updates from the Open and the latest standings at St Andrews below:
The Open
– 17 R McIlroy -15 V Hovland -14 C Smith, C Young -12 A Scott, D Johnson, T Fleetwood, S Kim -11 B Harman, A Ancer, S Kaewkanjana, K Kisner, J Spieth, D Burmester
Show latest update 1658070471
The Open 2022
Rory McIlroy’s birdie is off the mark, leaving him at -17 and two clear. Could this have been the opportunity to close the door? Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 4:07 p.m 1658070103
The Open 2022
Smith’s birdie on the par five is dead weight. -14 and two behind. Fleetwood (-12) for the par, but his birdie on eight is just off. Young with a crucial half to stay with Smith at -14. Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 4:01 p.m 1658069897
The Open 2022
Hovland can’t follow McIlroy for birdie, so he sits at -15, two behind McIlroy at -17. The Norwegian will also be looking over his shoulder, Smith and Young have reached -14 and want to play McIlroy. Young from the thick rough on six too, he can’t control and joins Smith on the back of the green, hoping to make par. Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 3:58 p.m 1658069736
The Open 2022
A big, snaking 50-foot eagle putt for Smith leaves himself about eight feet. A chance to move within two of McIlroy and one of Hovland. McIlroy at -17 with birdie at five, a big step up. Smith from thick rough on six, could that slow his drive after getting to -14, lands a putt on the green and chases to about 30 feet, steady.. (REUTERS) Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 3:55 p.m 1658068979
The Open 2022: Victor Hovland bogeys, gives lead to Rory McIlroy
It’s bogus for Hovland, who takes three shots to slip to -15. McIlroy leads for good at -16. Smith (-13) on five from the whispy rough leaves himself a long 30-footer for eagle. Make it? He would be just one behind McIlroy. Adam Scott makes birdie, is up to -12 with Spieth and DJ. This is a horrible spot for Hovland down a mountain and in the rough at five. McIlroy a little off the fairway, he’s fine. (Getty Images) Jack Rathborn 17 July 2022 15:42 1658068686
The Open 2022
It’s 78.5 feet for Hovland in four, the huge shell can only be reduced to 10 feet, a tester for par coming up. Schauffele for birdie on 16, stays out left. It remains at -11. McIlroy with the same putt as Young did in four, but misses, just one par. Still tied for the top at -16. (Getty Images) Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 3:38 p.m 1658068397
The Open 2022: Cameron Young makes his move
Majestic from Spieth on seven, perfect distance and rolls to four feet. It will go to -12. This is ideal pace from Smith on four from about 20 feet. Still -13 and three behind. Young wants birdie on four, down the hill, left to right, it’s brilliant, back to back birdies and up to -13. Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 3:33 p.m 1658068097
The Open 2022
McIlroy misses from just six feet, a chance slips away. Still tied for the top at -16. Meanwhile, Cam Smith, from 166 yards and four, narrowly escapes the bunker but will be about 20 feet short of the flag. DJ to five, the eagle putt is wide but can convert for birdie from as close as -12. Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 3:28 p.m 1658067839
The Open 2022: Rory McIlroy with a chance to take the early lead
Schauffele with a great shot 221 yards on the 14th, cuts a half of 614 yards and just a few feet for his eagle. Now it’s at -11, -6 today. Hovland can only par the third, McIlroy eyeing birdie and a one-shot lead. Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 3:23 p.m 1658067458
The Open 2022
Good bounceback from Young, birdie on three takes him back to where he started and -12. Filippo Celli is set to win the silver medal, the Italian amateur following in the footsteps of Matteo Manassero, who won the prestigious award for amateur players at the Open Championship in 2009. An eagle is too wide, he’ll tap for birdie to end an impressive Open, posting -5. Celli beat Aaron Jarvis, who returned to +1 earlier. Jack Rathborn July 17, 2022 3:17 p.m
