On Royal Portrush’s par-5 second, the Spaniard sent his tee shot soaring to the left. The swing was barely completed when the former Masters champ recoiled, slamming his club into the turf. However, as soon as the driver made impact with the ground, the shaft broke in two.

The R&A announced The Open will carry the same prize pool as 2024's record-setting purse with the winner taking home a $3.1 million check like Xander Schauffele did last year. That is a handsome payday but not one all that uncommon at this time in professional golf.

Scottie Scheffler shot a 4-under 67 at Royal Portrush Golf Club to improve to 14-under 199 – his lowest 54-hole total at a major

With six birdies coming home, Westwood rocketed back up the leaderboard with an Open record-tying back-nine 29.

Finau fired a 1-over-par 72 in the third round to go with his rounds of 70-68 and that effort left him watching the contenders pull away. Most of the movers and shakers fired rounds of four to five under par as Scottie Scheffler rocketed to a huge lead heading into Sunday.

Scottie Scheffler has a one-shot lead over Matt Fitzpatrick going into the third round of the British Open. Saturday is known as moving day in golf.

Smylie Kaufman wasn't the only one cursing at Royal Portrush on Friday, but he still drew an apology from Mike Tirico.

When the Royal Portrush Golf Club was founded, it was called simply “the Country Club.” Starting in 1892, the club was renamed “the Royal Country Club,” and in 1895, it became the “Royal Portrush Country Club.” The changing names have to do with the British royal family, and the history of royal golf clubs.