Hovland takes lead into final round of Tour Championship as Scheffler and McIlroy surge
Viktor Hovland holds a one-shot lead after round three of the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta, with Rory McIlroy storming into contention thanks to an impressive round of 63.
Norway's Viktor Hovland entered the third round tied for the lead with American Ryan Gerard, then closed with birdies on the last two holes for a five-under 65, moving to 15 under par overall. Gerard also birdied his final hole, carding a 66 to sit one stroke behind.
Close behind the leaders is world number one Scottie Scheffler, the 2024 champion, who posted a bogey-free 66 to reach 12 under, three shots off the pace. Australia's Adam Scott, 46, winner of this event two decades ago, matched that score with his own 66, while Sweden's Ludvig Aberg also reached 12 under with a 65.
Rory McIlroy produced one of the standout rounds of the day, carding nine birdies — including three in a row on holes 15, 16 and 17 — for a 63 that leaves him five shots off the lead. McIlroy, a three-time FedEx Cup champion (2016, 2019, 2022), credited better positioning on the greens for setting up simpler putts throughout his back nine.
England's Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, at eight under, appear to be out of realistic title contention, as do defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and fellow Englishman Alex Fitzpatrick, both of whom shot 67. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, playing alone as the first starter in a field of 29 (reduced from 30 after JJ Spaun withdrew injured during round one), fired a 63 to move into a tie for 25th at four under.
The final round of the $40m tournament tees off on Sunday, with the event also deciding the season-long FedEx Cup champion — a title Hovland himself won in 2023.
