{"id":7366,"date":"2025-07-20T02:24:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T02:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/7366\/"},"modified":"2025-07-20T02:24:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T02:24:09","slug":"third-round-talking-points-and-analysis-bryson-dechambeau-slams-slow-play-marc-leishman-exemption-rory-mcilroy-video-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/7366\/","title":{"rendered":"Third round talking points and analysis, Bryson DeChambeau slams slow play, Marc Leishman exemption, Rory McIlroy, video, highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scottie Scheffler is marching towards his first Claret Jug in dominant fashion, opening up a four-shot lead in the third round at The Open Championship.<\/a><\/p>\n

The world No.1 is putting up some mind-blowing numbers not only at Royal Portrush, but also across his career that has him being spoken about in the same breath as some of golf\u2019s greatest.<\/p>\n

Watch every round of The Open Live & Exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now & get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

Local hope Rory McIlroy had the Northern Irish fans rocking, and produced some of the highlights day to create electric scenes. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, pace of play was a topic of conversation once again with Bryson DeChambeau taking aim at the issue after he was put on the clock by rules officials.<\/p>\n

Here are the biggest talking points from the third round of the 153rd Open Championship.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u2018TOO SCARED TO GET EXPOSED\u2019: BRYSON \ufeffBLASTS SLOW PLAY<\/p>\n

Pace of play issues was the talk of the opening round at Royal Portrush with Australia\u2019s Marc Leishman saying the roughly six hour rounds made it feel like he was on the golf course for 12 hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bryson DeChambeau then reignited the conversation after he was put on the clock during his three-under par third round of 68.<\/p>\n

The LIV Golf star miraculously made the cut with a second round 65 after an opening round 78, and now sits in a tie for 34th at -2 overall.<\/p>\n

Despite his impressive turnaround on the course, DeChambeau was left agitated by the pace of play.<\/p>\n

The third round two-balls were definitely faster than the groups of three across the opening two days with final pairing Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick completing their 18 holes within four-and-a-half hours.<\/p>\n

But speed was a problem for the early groups with a rule official unhappy with the two-time US Open champion.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he timed me on 17 after I striped the drive down there,\u201d DeChambeau said.<\/p>\n

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 19: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States talks with rules official, Kevin Feeney on the 17th hole during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Andrew Redington\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

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LEADERBOARD: Follow the action at the Open<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201c16, difficult hole, got up-and-down in a difficult spot. Understand we were struggling with pace the whole day. I was moving my butt as fast as I could. Greens were really tricky. I was trying to read them right.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we just kept losing time. Unfortunately on the 16-17 exchange, you\u2019ve got a downhill drivable hole you can play pretty quick if you get in the right spot. They did that, and we just lost more time to the group in front of us, and they put us on the clock, which is unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeChambeau then went on to suggest that individual players should be timed, rather than the group as a whole.<\/p>\n

He was seemingly deflecting responsibility to English playing Nathan Kimsey in doing so, and wants more of his rivals to be \u201cexposed\u201d for moving too slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very simple. It\u2019s not difficult at all. You eventually time everybody for their whole entire round. Very simple,\u201d DeChambeau said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody wants to do it — because people are too scared to get exposed, which I am an advocate for. I\u2019d love to be timed, and I have no problem with that.<\/p>\n

Bryson DeChambeau of the United States, front, with Nathan Kimsey of England walk off the 2nd tee during the third round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo\/Jon Super)Source: AP<\/p>\n

\u201cMy putting, I\u2019m more deliberate, take more time on that, but when it comes to iron shots, off the tee, I\u2019m pretty fast. It\u2019s like D.J., he\u2019s really slow on the putting greens, and then he\u2019s incredibly fast on his full swing shots, second shots into it.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody plays a different style of game, and that\u2019s just the way it is. I wish it was just a new system.<\/p>\n

DeChambeau added: \u201cI think it would be more fair towards everybody. If somebody is playing slower, the guy can go up to him and say, hey, man, you\u2019re over par with your time. <\/p>\n

\u201cAll you do is you just time them for every single shot. He gets there and puts the bag down, and how long it takes him to hit that shot and how long it takes him to walk to the green. It\u2019s not rocket science.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou time how long someone takes individually, and then you separate that from the other person playing. You start\/stop on him the whole entire thing. It\u2019s one way.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cOnce you start penalising individuals for taking too much time. I can tell you, first two rounds it was out of control what I saw. That\u2019s the way people play.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong story short, one day I hope we can have a better system.\u201d<\/p>\n

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 19: Marc Leishman of Australia looks on during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u2018THERE\u2019S THE CARROT DANGLING\u2019: AUSSIE CHASES RETURN<\/p>\n

Marc Leishman, the lone Australian to make the cut, has the chance to play his way into a return to The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next year with a solid final round.<\/p>\n

The LIV Golf star earned his start at Royal Portrush this week with a top three finish at last year\u2019s Australian Open, while a made a return to the majors for the first time since 2022 at last month\u2019s US Open after coming through qualifying.<\/p>\n

Leishman\u2019s world ranking plummeted with his move to LIV Golf and as a result lost his place in the majors.<\/p>\n

He now can see the chance in front of him to avoid continually having to earn a place in the year\u2019s biggest events the hard way.<\/p>\n

A top ten finish will secure his place in next year\u2019s Open Championship field, while a top four finish would lock in a return to all four majors next year.<\/p>\n

He has some work to do as he sits tied 26th at -4 overall following a second straight three-under par round of 68.<\/p>\n

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 19: Marc Leishman of Australia plays his second shot on the second hole during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

But Leishman showed off his scoring power with five birdies in the third round, and he will need more of the same in the final round, although he is not going to be reckless in his pursuit of low numbers.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously there\u2019s the carrot dangling to try to get into the top 4 but also to try to get in the Open next year,\u201d Leishman said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you want to do something silly and try to go crazy low, but you also want to make sure you try to get back in next year and give yourself a chance to get into the other majors.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably more so looking at that. I\u2019m nine back. Probably going to be more than ten back at the end of the day the way he\u2019s playing. That will be too many, unless I do something really, really silly. He\u2019s probably going to get to 20-under. I\u2019m not going to shoot 56.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018COUNT OURSELVES LUCKY\u2019: INSIDE TRULY MESMERISING SCHEFFLER NUMBERS<\/p>\n

Nothing is ever a given, but this is just about as close to it you can ever get in a major championship.<\/p>\n

Scottie Scheffler fired a bogey free, four-under par round of 67 to move to -14 for the tournament, four shots clear of China\u2019s Haotong Li, and history is firmly on the world No.1\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Once Scheffler grabs the ascendancy, he does not let it up.<\/p>\n

He has led a major three times, and won on every occasion.<\/p>\n

Not only has he won, he has blown away his rivals winning his two green jackets by three and four shots respectively.<\/p>\n

“Never seen anything like that!” | 00:46<\/p>\n

Although his maiden Augusta triumph in 2022 should have been by more than three shots, but he four-putted the last in a somewhat anticlimactic finish.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, he won the PGA Championship by five shots.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a forgone conclusion, this is golf. You\u2019re not going to say it\u2019s definitely over,\u201d former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, boy oh boy, does it look ominous.<\/p>\n

\u201cParticularly when he putts as well as he\u2019s putting.\u201d<\/p>\n

US golfer Scottie Scheffler lines up a putt on the 18th green on day three of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 19, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS \/ AFP) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USESource: AFP<\/p>\n

On the PGA Tour, the last nine times Scheffler has held the solo lead with a round to play, Scheffler has won.<\/p>\n

The numbers are staggering, and the challengers will be even more dismayed when they remember that Scheffler was won three times in his last ten starts.<\/p>\n

In that stretch, he has not finished worse than tied eighth.<\/p>\n

Like in the majors, Scheffler has left the field in the dust in his wins this year.<\/p>\n

He won by eight shots at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and four shots at The Memorial Tournament.<\/p>\n

But it is that five-shot triumph at Quail Hollow that gives Scheffler the chance to enter some truly rare air if he continues to run away in the final round.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was lucky enough to play in the Tiger era,\u201d former PGA Tour professional Brandel Chamblee said.<\/p>\n

US golfer Scottie Scheffler walks from the 14th tee on day three of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 19, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK \/ AFP) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USESource: AFP<\/p>\n

\u201cI was lucky enough to sit up here and talk about watching Tiger play.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you get to see Scottie Scheffler at a level that is so rarely ascended to in the history of golf.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we sit here, he\u2019s got a four-shot lead.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not far fetched to think that he can win this thing by five, six, seven, eight tomorrow. Who knows.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he does that, if he wins by five shots or more tomorrow, there have been just two players in the history of golf, just two, that have won two majors in a season by five shots or more – Ben Hogan, 1953, and Tiger Woods in 2000.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is the highest level that golf\u2019s ever been played at, and again, I never thought I\u2019d see it, and we get to sit here and count ourselves lucky twice for in the last 20-30 years, getting to see this kind of performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scottie Scheffler of the United States waits to putt on the 16th green during the third round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo\/Jon Super)Source: AP<\/p>\n

\ufeff\u2018PHENOMENAL TURNAROUND\u2019: THE KEY TO SCHEFFLER\u2019S BRILLIANCE<\/p>\n

Putting was once Scottie Scheffler\u2019s Achilles heel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spoke about it earlier in the week, than in the last three years, there\u2019s no one worse in The Open Championship,\u201d McGinley said of Scheffler\u2019s putting.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe played in Scotland last week, and he was in the bottom 15% of putters even though he had a top ten.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s had decent performances in The Open Championship but always putting terribly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou often wondered what is the problem here? He cannot adjust himself to these links greens which are about 20% lower (in speed) than what he\u2019d be used to on the PGA Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tiger Woods once said that as long Scheffler putts okay, he\u2019ll win easily in the majors.<\/p>\n

He is now putting a lot better than okay.<\/p>\n

The world No.1 is ranked first this week in strokes gained putting (+7.9) and second in strokes gained in approach (+7.4). <\/p>\n

No wonder he is well out in front.<\/p>\n

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 19: Scottie Scheffler of the United States holds his pocket book after finishing his round on the 18th green during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Often been regarded as the best driver of the golf ball for the last three years, but with short comings on the green, the script has flipped for Scheffler this week.<\/p>\n

Although, he has got better with his driver and long irons with every round – in strokes gained off the tee, Scheffler was ranked 119th in the first round, 61st in the second round and 16th in the third round.<\/p>\n

The turnaround in putting however, has come off the back of a big technical change.<\/p>\n

In the Bahamas at the end of last December, Scheffler debuted the claw grip.<\/p>\n

The change in style was developed with a world-renowned putting coach, Phil Kenyon, and it has unlocked his game on not just the British links.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking at his stats, and how this massive improvement came about… there\u2019s one big common denominator here and that\u2019s that he started working with Phil Kenyon, the putting coach, in 2023,\u201d McGinley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2023, he was ranked 162nd (in putting) on the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2025, he\u2019s ranked 22nd (in putting) on the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis week, he\u2019s ranked one in putting. It\u2019s a phenomenal turnaround.\u201d<\/p>\n

US golfer Scottie Scheffler putts on the 18th green on day three of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 19, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS \/ AFP) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USESource: AFP<\/p>\n

McGinley added: \u201cSo, I reached out to Phil (Kenyon) this morning, and said \u2018okay Phil, give us the secret. What have you done to this guy? On links greens, you\u2019ve turned him from a poor putter into a really good putter on slower greens\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe talked about the claw.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Phil says is the right hand in that position is giving him more of an ability to get more speed into the putt and a bit more acceleration through the ball, and as a result he feels the ball is running more at the hole.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why he\u2019s putting better.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a nice speed to that stroke.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood putters on slow greens, I\u2019m talking Tyrell Hatton, Jordan Spieth, even Tiger Woods, there\u2019s a definitive strike to the ball when they\u2019re hitting it on slow greens, and I think Scottie has been able to add that his week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Phil\u2019s view, and I\u2019m sure if you\u2019d ask Scottie he\u2019d agree, the fact he\u2019s gone to the claw makes it feel like he has a little more umph in his stroke, hence best putter in the field so far combined with phenomenal golf.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Must be 50 feet!” Insane Rory putt | 01:51<\/p>\n

\ufeff\u2018ONE OF THE COOLEST MOMENTS\u2019: RORY\u2019S ROAR BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN<\/p>\n

Rory McIlroy was walking highlight reel during the third round.<\/p>\n

The Northern Irishman, who struggled with the pressure of playing a major in his home nation in 2019<\/a>, relished the immense crowd support and energy as he fired a five-under par 66 to move into a share of fourth at -8.<\/p>\n

McIlroy produced the most bizarre moment of the day on the 11th when he hit his ball from the left rough, only to pop up a second ball that had been embedded in the ground as he took a divot.<\/p>\n

At the very next hole, he then had the crowd on the feet, cheering so loud that it likely reverberated far beyond Royal Portrush.<\/p>\n

McIlroy drained an incredible, downhill 56 foot, two inch eagle putt which prompted Irishman Paul McGinley to describe him as \u201cbox office\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of the coolest moments we\u2019ve seen all year long,\u201d McGinley said.<\/p>\n

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 19: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates an eagle putt on the 12th green during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really is something special.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look at the way the crowd stand up in the stand as it goes in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a very difficult putt there.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last eight feet were really, really quick and to judge it so perfectly with the speed and line (was incredible).\u201d<\/p>\n

After his round, McIlroy declared it one of the best moments of his illustrious career.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, this could be one of the coolest moments I\u2019ve ever had on the golf course,\u201d McIlroy said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe roar when this ball was in was insane. It was insane all day, but the noise after that putt went in was incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n

McIlroy will be hoping for plenty more roars like it in the final round as he tried to catch Scheffler.<\/p>\n

The Masters champion is six shots back, and is not ruling out a miracle comeback.<\/p>\n

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 19: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates an eagle putt on the 12th green during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Warren Little\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, look, I\u2019ve got more than half a chance. I\u2019ve got a chance,\u201d McIlroy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to get off to a great start like I did today, and if I can do that, anything can happen. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve come from a few shots behind before at big tournaments and was able to win. If I can get off to one of those hot starts again, maybe Scottie feels a little bit of that a couple of groups behind, and you never know. <\/p>\n

\u201cScottie is the best player in the world right now. I think it\u2019s clear for everyone to see. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just consistently so good each and every week he tees it up, so it\u2019s going to be a tall order to be able to catch him tomorrow. But I\u2019m going to look forward to the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Scottie Scheffler is marching towards his first Claret Jug in dominant fashion, opening up a four-shot lead in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7367,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[566],"tags":[2620,2095,1206,1724,64,63,689,9267,5604,9243,6933,9251,512,9250,9249,9245,9271,9272,9232,9239,9260,9246,2057,9229,9266,9265,9233,9252,2105,5511,755,8462,5500,9262,9242,9256,9228,9264,9247,9268,9235,5494,6937,9261,9237,2041,2067,3583,5492,677,9231,9263,9257,9230,9227,9234,9270,9253,756,9269,9248,5994,9255,9258,85,9259,7663,9254,9238,9244,2614,9236,9241,9240],"class_list":["post-7366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-golf","tag-agence-france-presse","tag-america","tag-andrew-redington","tag-asia","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-ben-hogan","tag-box-office","tag-british-links","tag-bryson-dechambeau","tag-byron-nelson","tag-china","tag-claw-grip","tag-coolest-moments","tag-crowd-stand","tag-definitive-strike","tag-dominant-fashion","tag-eagle-putt","tag-eastern-asia","tag-electric-scenes","tag-english-playing","tag-europe","tag-fans-rocking","tag-final-pairing","tag-five-shot-triumph","tag-foot-putt","tag-four-shot-lead","tag-getty-images-inc","tag-glyn-kirk","tag-golf","tag-golf-ball","tag-golf-championship","tag-golf-course","tag-haotong-li","tag-highlight-reel","tag-highlights-day","tag-home-nation","tag-immense-crowd-support","tag-kevin-feeney","tag-links-greens","tag-marc-leishman","tag-matt-fitzpatrick","tag-miracle-comeback","tag-nathan-kimsey","tag-north-america","tag-northern-america","tag-northern-europe","tag-northern-ireland","tag-oceania","tag-paul-mcginley","tag-person-playing","tag-phenomenal-turnaround","tag-phil-kenyon","tag-pocket-book","tag-putting-coach","tag-putting-greens","tag-rare-golf-moment","tag-rory-mcilroy","tag-round-two-balls","tag-rules-officials","tag-scotland","tag-shots-clear","tag-slow-greens","tag-sports","tag-swing-shots","tag-talking-points","tag-the-key","tag-the-open-live-amp-exclusive-on-fox-sports","tag-tiger-woods","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-warren-little","tag-way-people-play","tag-world-renowned-putting-coach"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}