World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shot 67 on Saturday to take a four-stroke lead at The Open Championship. His odds to hoist the Claret Jug went from +500 entering Thursday's play to +210 after round 1, -175 after round 2 and now -700 entering the final round.

There was a moment in the middle of the afternoon Saturday at Royal Portrush where it still felt like anything was possible at the 2025 Open Championship. All scenarios were still on the table. Hope ran rampant around the property as the third round trundled on and player after player made birdie after birdie.

The question Scottie Scheffler was asking of himself at the start of the week could very well be posed to those chasing him in the British Open.

The Open Championship isn't over. McIlroy and everyone else in contention have to believe they have a chance. But they're chasing a guy who's almost impossible to catch.

Five-time major winner Rory McIlroy sits six shots back from Scottie Scheffler on eight under, heading into the final round of The Open Championship

The top two golfers in the world are firmly in contention at The Open with Scheffler out in front entering another major championship weekend

Rory McIlroy plots stunning Royal Portrush comeback as Scottie Scheffler leads - Rory McIlroy hopes to chase down Scottie Scheffler, who leads by four shots at Royal Portrush in his bid to win a first

For proof of this dynamic, look no further than the varied reactions to Scottie Scheffler's comments on Tuesday at Royal Portrush. His words revealed not a man searching for purpose, but one who had already found it—words that could help his fellow superstar return from an existential rut.

Rory McIlroy stared at his card behind the 18th green and smiled the smile of a golfer who knew he’d had a day to remember at the British Open.