By Nick Butler

Rory McIlroy moved a step closer to a maiden British Open triumph with another superb round ©Getty ImagesRory McIlroy tightened his formidable grip on the Claret Jug today after a third superb round in the British Open at Royal Liverpool to take a six-shot lead into the fourth and final day of action.


It is hard to believe that the Northern Irishman, winner of two major titles in the past, but whose best performance in the Open was joint third in 2010, has been struggling for form over the last 18 months. 

After two consecutive rounds of 66, his form did appear to have worsened slightly in the early stages today, only for a grandstand finish in which the 25-year-old hit eagles on both the 16th and 18th holes to secure a round of 68.

This put him 16 under par and six shots clear of American challenger of Rickie Fowler.

His 200-stroke total is only two shots off the 54-hole record on the Royal Liverpool course, set by Tiger Woods in 2006, although the American lies 19 shots behind this time around.

Spain's Sergio Garcia, who shot 69, and American Dustin Johnson, who hit 71, are tied third at nine under, with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson on eight under after a third round of 68. 

Rickie Fowler is leading the chasing pack a mammoth six shots behind ©AFP/Getty ImagesRickie Fowler is leading the chasing pack a mammoth six shots behind ©AFP/Getty Images



Following his triumphs at the 2011 US Open and the 2012 US PGA Championships, if McIlroy is to win tomorrow, he would become the first European and the third person after two of the biggest names in the history of the sport, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, to win three different major titles aged 25 or under.

He would also be three-quarters of the way to winning all four, something only five other players have achieved in golfing history - Nicklaus and Woods, along with Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.

"If everything goes the right way tomorrow, to get to three-quarters of the way there is some achievement by the age of 25," McIlroy admitted.

"I'd be in pretty illustrious company, so, not getting ahead of ourselves, here, it would mean an awful lot.

"That would mean a lot of hype going into Augusta next year."

But McIlroy will not have to think too hard to remember that he has not won the Open yet, because he famously blew a four-shot lead on the final day of the Masters in 2011, as South African Charl Schwartzel ultimately claimed victory.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2014: McIlroy takes command of Open Championship as Woods just makes cut
July 2014: McIlroy tops leaderboard after Open Championship first round
July 2014: Rose hoping for history to repeat itself as Open Championship gets underway