McIlroy’s drive down 17 hugs the left edge of the fairway, fading slightly into the rough. But the approach is beautiful.

It sets up birdie chance, downhill and from 20 feet.

AND IT’S IN! What a three for McIlroy! He’s back to -10!

McIlroy steadies with par at the 16th, leaving his putt short. Now onto the road hole and one final test... Hovland, meanwhile, is behind him and hunting down Cameron Smith’s lead.

EAGLE FOR HOVLAND!

Unreal! The Norwegian holes out from the fairway at the 15th! His approach hit the front of the green and skipped into the hole!

He jumps to -9! Straight into a tie for third.

Better news though for Viktor Hovland, who gets back to -7 with a birdie at the par-5 14th.

The drive from McIlroy was indeed ok, even if it was pushed far right and landed in the thick grass. The lie was decent, though, and McIlroy could lift it out onto the green.

It just runs and runs, though, setting up a long two-putt for his par.

What. An. Effort. From maybe 60 or 70 feet, maybe more, McIlroy rolls it to within just a couple.

Oh no! The par putt from McIlroy misses! He drops back to -9.

A par-5 for McIlroy at the 14th, perhaps a missed opportunity after almost reaching the green in two. He came up short, though, which is not where you want to be. It led to a tough putt up on to the top tier, where a further two-putt got him his par.

McIlroy has sent his drive at the 15th to the right - but it looks to be ok.

Lee Westwood birdies 15 and hes at -5, a great position for the Briton.

That’s a fine birdie from Zalatoris, he’s at -4 now, what a round, he’s back in contention.

Danny Willett on 18 at -2, he chips to within eight feet, he’ll surely move to -3 soon.

Tony Finau for birdie and moves to -1 after back to back birdies, the projected cut is even.

McIlory from 27 feet on 13, it burns the cup. He bends back in agony. So close to joining Young on -11.

Justin Thomas (-2) makes birdie on 12, that’s two in three holes, can he finish strong and get back into this?

Shane Lowry (-4) is four-under today, getting some big cheers.

McIlroy from 130 yards on 13, he’ll have 20 feet for birdie.

Lowry (-3) still battling away, cosies a wedge to within five feet, he’s on the move.

Hovland (-7) for birdie on 12, but it doesn’t turn back to the right and stays out a few inches left of the hole.

A big putt from Young, birdies the last to move up to -11 and to within two of Smith’s lead.

McIlroy in the groove, and gladly swiping driver there, crushes it down the middle.

He’s approaching peak Rory here. What a sight to behold as Friday evening arrives in St Andrews.

Hovland (-7) drops one at 11, he’s back to seven-under.