Rory McIlroy shot his lowest round of the week at the Scottish open as his closing 64 saw him sign off in style ahead of next week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
After Saturday’s wether-delayed third round dragged into this morning, McIlroy eventually signed for a 73 to leave him some way off the pace heading into Sunday’s fourth round.
But a lightning-fast start saw the Holywood star blitz the first seven holes in five-under-par to get within a shot of the lead – before a clumsy three-putt bogey on the par-three ninth slowed his roll somewhat.
The two-time Masters champion found three more birdies on his inward nine – although he dropped a shot on the 16th – to eventually come home in 33 strokes for a round of six-under-par.
That was good enough to see him finish his week 12-under-par overall which left him hovering around fifth place with the leaders still to finish.
McIlroy moves to Royal Birkdale looking to surpass Nick Faldo’s modern European record of six major championship wins.
Career Grand Slam holder McIlroy has won the Open Championship once before, in 2014 at Royal Liverpool.