McIlroy Rises to Fourth at Open After 56-Foot Eagle Putt at Royal Portrush

Rory McIlroy delivered an impressive third-round performance at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, highlighted by a remarkable 56-foot eagle putt on the par-five 12th hole that he described as one of the coolest moments of his career. Despite a strong start with three birdies in the first four holes, McIlroy encountered a peculiar incident on the 11th hole, where another ball unexpectedly appeared between his feet during his approach shot, resulting in a bogey. He bounced back immediately with the eagle and added another birdie on the 15th to finish the round with a five-under 66, moving him into a tie for fourth place at eight-under, six shots behind leader Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting he would need an exceptional final round and some mistakes from Scheffler to contend for his second major victory of the year. The Northern Irishman expressed pride in playing in front of his home crowd and appreciated the electric atmosphere that fueled his performance. Looking ahead to the final round, McIlroy remained focused and positive, sharing plans to relax before the decisive day and recognizing Scheffler's solid play over recent years.