Defending champion Scottie Scheffler moved to seven under par Friday at Royal Birkdale, staying within striking distance as the final round of the Open Championship played out with delays caused by an earlier rules incident.
Scheffler's composure on the greens proved decisive. At the fifth hole, he drove into position, chipped to four feet, and converted the birdie putt without hesitation. The precision marked another step in what could shape into a gripping final leaderboard if conditions tighten for the late starters.
Running behind schedule, the closing groups faced mounting wind and pressure as they made their way through Birkdale's demanding layout. Tommy Fleetwood's late push produced mixed results, with one fairway wood finding thick rough atop a bank left of the fairway despite his apparent satisfaction off the tee.
The late delays stemmed from a rules matter in an earlier match that pushed back all subsequent pairings. For Scheffler, the wait meant little as he methodically pressed his advantage through the back nine.
With several contenders still out on the course and conditions expected to worsen, the champion's position offered no guarantee. The wind's rise and the mounting tension on each tee would test resolve in the closing hours. Scheffler's -7 standing represented solid ground from which to challenge, but the championship remained wide open heading into the final stretch.
Author James Rodriguez: "Scheffler's got the machine running smooth, but Birkdale doesn't reward patience, and those wind gusts are about to make the late starters sweat."
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