McIlroy storms into share of the lead heading into final day at St Andrews

BATTLE: Norway's Viktor Hovland and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy shake hands after their rounds during day three of The Open at the Old Course, St Andrews. Photo: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland waged an entertaining duel with a pair of 6-under 66s on Saturday, booking themselves for an encore encounter with the 150th Open claret jug on the line Sunday.

McIlroy and Hovland stand tied at 16-under 200 after three rounds on the Old Course – four shots clear of Camerons Smith and Young at 12-under. Scottie Scheffler and Si Woo Kim are tied fifth at 11-under. Their 16-under mark is one shy of the 54-hole record of 199 for Opens at St. Andrews set by Nick Faldo in 1990.