Rory McIlroy climbed the leaderboard Saturday at the 2025 Open Championship thanks in large part to an electric eagle putt on the par-five 12th.
McIlroy made the eagle from 56 feet out, eliciting a huge response from his home country supporters at Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland:
Following his round, McIlroy gave the putt a significant distinction, telling Golf Channel’s Cara Banks (h/t Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine): “This could be one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had on a golf course.”
McIlroy entered the third round at three-under for the tournament after shooting a 70 on Thursday and a 69 on Friday.
On Saturday, he was red hot out of the gate, posting three birdies over his first four holes.
McIlroy dropped a stroke with a bogey on the par-four 11th, but he bounced back immediately with an eagle on No. 12, which had the entire gallery rocking.
He wasn’t done yet either, as he added a birdie on the par-four 15th to finish the round with a five-under 66.
With that, McIlroy moved into a tie for fourth place at eight-under, six shots behind leader Scottie Scheffler, who sits at 14-under.
McIlroy has had some special moments throughout his career, as he is a five-time major champion. In April, he completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters for the first time, beating Justin Rose in a playoff.
It will take a massive final round for McIlroy and something of a collapse from Scheffler in order for him to win his second major of the year, but it is clear that McIlroy will leave Royal Portrush with positive memories regardless, thanks largely to what he pulled off on Saturday.