McIlroy dominates with six-shot lead over Fowler at Hoylake

Northern Irish Golf ace Rory McIlroy will head into the final round of the Open Championship with a six-shot lead over American Rickie Fowler at Hoylake.

McIlroy, who is bidding for a third major golf title and first Claret Jug, fired 68 to surge to 16 under after bushing off a short-lived back-nine challenge from Fowler, who also shot 68.

Spain's Sergio Garcia (69) and American Dustin Johnson (71) were tied third at nine under, with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson (68) eight under, The BBC reported.

Former world number one and three-time Open winner Tiger Woods shot 73 to end the day three over, while defending champion Phil Mickelson (71) was one under and world number one Adam Scott (69) of Australia was six under.

England's Justin Rose, Scotland's Marc Warren and Northern Ireland pair Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell ended in a group on five under.

McIlroy was tied with Fowler; chasing a first major title after finishing runner-up to Martin Kaymer at the US Open last month, at 12 under after 13 holes but eagles at the 16th and 18th helped him to the biggest 54-hole advantage at the Open since Woods led by six in his 2000 victory at St Andrews.

McIlroy said that he knew Fowler was playing well in front and then he saw on 12 he got to within one of his and then he bogeyed the hole and it was tied.

But, McIlroy added that he never panicked or feel uncomfortable, as he knew he had some holes coming up which he could take advantage of and make some birdies.

If McIlroy wins on Sunday he would join Jack Nicklaus and Woods as the only players to win three majors by the age of 25.

The Northern Irishman, who would join Mickelson as current players to have won three of the four major titles, broke a host of scoring records and won by eight shots when he landed his maiden major, the US Open, in 2011. And he also triumphed by a record margin of eight shots at the 2012 US PGA, the report added.