Lowry opens up 4-shot lead after dazzling 8-under 63 at The Open
Shane Lowry turned in a performance for the ages on moving day at the Open Championship.
The Irishman carded an 8-under 63 in Round 3 at Royal Portrush to extend his lead to four shots heading into Sunday's final round.
His bogey-free performance both marks the lowest score of the tournament and puts him at 16-under for the week, which ties the Open Championship's 54-hole scoring record.
Here's a look at the top of the leaderboard with 18 holes remaining:
| Place | Player | To Par | R3 Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shane Lowry | -16 | 63 |
| 2 | Tommy Fleetwood | -12 | 66 |
| 3 | J.B. Holmes | -10 | 69 |
| T4 | Brooks Koepka | -9 | 67 |
| T4 | Justin Rose | -9 | 68 |
| T6 | Rickie Fowler | -8 | 66 |
| T6 | Lee Westwood | -8 | 70 |
| T8 | Danny Willett | -7 | 65 |
| T8 | Jon Rahm | -7 | 68 |
| T8 | Tony Finau | -7 | 68 |
| T8 | Jordan Spieth | -7 | 69 |
In order to claim his first career major championship, Lowry will need to fend off a group of chasers headlined by Tommy Fleetwood.
Fleetwood also put together a bogey-free round Saturday, but his 66 leaves him with a four-shot deficit to erase Sunday.
J.B. Holmes - who shared the lead with Lowry after Round 2 - birdied his final hole to jump into third place, six shots off the pace.
Third-round playing partners Brooks Koepka and Justin Rose share the fourth spot at 9-under.
Lee Westwood failed to keep pace with the leaders on Day 3 and saw his one-shot deficit increase to eight after shooting 70 on Saturday.
Final-round tee times were moved up two hours Sunday to avoid expected inclement weather. The first tee time will be at 2:32 a.m. ET, with the leaders going out at 8:47 a.m.