The Open Championship: McIlroy aims to hunt down Scheffler
Rory McIlroy says it'll be a tough task to chase down Scottie Scheffler in today's final round of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush - but feels he still has a chance.
The Holywood Grand Slam champion tees off on 8-under par, alongside Matt Fitzpatrick on 9-under, at 2.20pm.
World Number 1 Scheffler goes out 10 minutes later, beginning the day on 14-under, six shots clear of McIlroy and four ahead of his playimg partner Haotong Li.
Soeaking after his third round of 5-under par 66 yesterday, McIlroy says he's happy with his game, but readily admits getting the better of Scheffler os one of the most difficult things to do in the game.
"The eagle on 12 was one of the largest roars I've ever heard on a golf course. So that was a really cool moment. To get those shots back straight away was nice, and I felt like I played the last few holes really solid and picked one up coming in, which was good," said the World Number 2.
"He's playing like Scottie. I don't think it's a surprise. Everyone's seen the way he's played or plays over the last two or three years. He's just so solid. He doesn't make mistakes."
"He's turned himself into a really consistent putter as well. So there doesn't seem to be any weakness there. Whenever you're trying to chase down a guy like that, it's hard to do. But he's incredibly impressive."
As for Scheffler, he produced a bogey-free third round of 4-under par 67, but admits it wasnt without its difficulties.
"I think the card could look stress-free, but I had two really nice par saves on the back nine that were key. I made a nice eight-ish footer on 11, another one on 14, so two really important putts I felt like. I think anytime you can keep a clean card around a major championship, you're going to be having a pretty good day," said the American.
"I think anytime we're going around the course I'm trying to take advantage of my opportunities. Sometimes I do a better job of that than other times. If you look at the first six holes, I felt like I did some things good enough to make a few birdies and wasn't able to capitalise, and then all of a sudden on 7 and 8 I get three shots in two holes.
"It's more just a matter of trying to make the best of the opportunities that you can get, and sometimes I'm good at it, sometimes not as good.
"I like being out here competing. This is why we work so hard is to have opportunities like this, and I'm excited for the challenge. Winning major championships is not an easy task, and I've put myself in a good position," he added.
"I'm going to step up there on the first tee and I'm going to be trying to get the ball in the fairway, and when I get to the second shot I'm going to be trying to get that ball on the green. There's not really too much else going on."