Home favourite Rory McIlroy birdied three of his first four holes to mount a third-round charge as world number Scottie Scheffler maintained his British Open lead in perfect scoring conditions on Saturday.

As the rain poured and the wind howled at Royal Portrush on Thursday, the world's top golfers battled against the unpredictable weather. The Open Championship leaderboard at the end of the first round demonstrated the difficulty of the conditions,

So, this was weird: Rory McIlroy, playing his second shot from the rough on the 11th at Royal Portrush in Round 3 of the British Open, somehow managed to unearth another ball in mid-swing. The second ball was apparently embedded in the ground a few inches ahead of McIlroy's ball, and popped into the air as McIlroy's shot flew greenward.

McIlroy has played solid enough through 36 holes at The Open Championship but will need to actually move on Moving Day

The opening round of The Open Championship threw up a number of major talking points, with Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm both in the headlines for different reasons

Dominant world number one Scottie Scheffler takes a four-shot lead into the final round of the British Open on Sunday, leaving local hero Rory McIlroy praying for a miracle.Victory would see him become only the second player after Tiger Woods to win the British Open while ranked world number one.

Rory McIlroy shot 1-under 70 in the first round of the British Open at Royal Portrush that is also serving as a homecoming for the Northern Irish star

Rory McIlroy will play the weekend at a Royal Portrush Open. But to contend, he'll need to straighten out his driver.

Rory McIlroy gives Royal Portrush an afternoon to remember during a captivating five-under 66 in front of enormous crowds during the Open Championship third round.

Rory McIlroy experimentó nuevamente esa sensación de zozobra en el primer hoyo en Royal Portrush. De acuerdo, el héroe

Legendary golfer Phil Mickelson continues to defy expectations, competing in another major championship at the age of 55. The lefty shot one under par through the first round at Royal Portrush and delivered a jaw-dropping moment on the third hole.