Lowry opens up 4-shot lead after dazzling 8-under 63 at The Open

Republic Of Ireland's Shane Lowry celebrates his birdie on the 15th during day three of The Open Championship 2019 at Royal Portrush Golf Club.
Richard Sellers - PA Images / PA Images / Getty

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.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS
MORE STORIES