Ory McIlroy ended a stunning third round of the Open by putting in a glorious eagle shot from the bunker on the 10th as he made an attack on his second Claret Jug.
A six-under lap of 66 put the 33-year-old in the lead with Norwegian Viktor Hovland after sending St Andrews wild as Cameron Smith and Cameron Young were left in their wake.
Sunday’s final round somehow promises to be a definitive opportunity for McIlroy as he chases a fifth Major title after last achieved such a triumph eight years ago.
Only a bogey at the famous Road Hole 17th prevented McIlroy from holding onto the absolute lead, with Ryder Cup teammate and playing partner Hovland chasing his first major title and charting a bogey-free 66 to join the Northern Irishman at 16 under.
McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug in 2014 and won his fourth major in American PGA a month later, but hasn’t won one of the game’s biggest titles since.
Augusta National co-founder and three-time Open champion Bobby Jones famously said that no player’s career would be complete without lifting the Claret Jug on the Old Course. And while McIlroy doesn’t think that’s entirely true, the world No. 2 was well aware of the importance of winning the oldest major title at the Home of Golf.
“I don’t know if a golfer’s career isn’t complete if you don’t, but I think it’s the holy grail of our sport,” McIlroy said during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday.
Asked about the meaning of winning after his round on Sunday, McIlroy told Sky Sports: “It would mean everything because of what I’ve been through over the years, trying to finish fifth.
“I have a lot of confidence in myself, I know I can do it again. I just have to go out in my own little world and make a good score that I know I can do here.”
Australian Smith had been in pole position to complete that feat after setting a record midway through the 13-under-par total, but the world’s No. 6 made a three-putt on the opening and a double bogey on the 13th then he slipped off the pace.
Even a clear front nine of 33 – with birdies on the fifth, sixth and ninth – McIlroy had seen a shot behind an inspired Hovland, who had birded four holes in a row from the third to take over from Smith at the top of the grid. rankings.
However, McIlroy then hit a bunker hole short of the 10th green for a stunning eagle to leap into the lead, before Hovland commendably had his nerve to birdies the same hole.
McIlroy found the green in two on the 614-yard 14th to set up another birdie and take the straight lead, then fire his approach to the disheartening 17th over the green and off the wall.
The resulting bogey put McIlroy back next to Hovland, who brilliantly saved par from just over the green, with both players birdied the latter.
Smith and Young start the final round four shots down after rounds of 73 and 71 respectively, with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and South Korea’s Si Woo Kim one stroke further back.
Two-time Major winner Dustin Johnson is six times behind on a 71, with Tommy Fleetwood and US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick at nine under Australian Adam Scott.
“As I was having breakfast today it seemed like everyone was making birdies everywhere,” said Fleetwood after his 66. “I had a good start, the middle section was frustrating but another good finish. The putts at 16, 17 [both to save par] and 18 feel crucial. I’d love to be there if I have a chance tomorrow to make it to the back nine, but it’s very special to still be in and in between. ”
Additional reporting by PA.