Scottish Open: Matt Fitzpatrick leads, McIlroy hard at work on fog-hindered third day

Genesis Scottish Open Third Round (Finishers Only)

-10 Jay Keefer (USA); -9 R Neergaard-Petersen (The); -8 M Armitage (Eng), M Meissner (US); -7 A Del Rey (Spa), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), SW Kim (Chorus)

Selected Others:-5 J Thomas (US), C Hill (SCO), JJ Spahn (US); -4 Jay Rahm (Spa); -3 V Hovland (The)

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Matt Fitzpatrick moved into a share of the lead as outsider Rory McIlroy struggled through an uneventful third round at the Genesis Scottish Open where fog played havoc.

Play was initially postponed for almost two and a half hours at 10:45 BST on Saturday, meaning the leading teams did not kick off until after 18:00.

But a heavy loss came back at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian and action was halted with 22 players out on course for the second time at 19:55.

Among those still on the front nine were Fitzpatrick and McIlroy, who were paired together in the penultimate group but experienced vastly contrasting fortunes.

Fitzpatrick got off to a great start with four birdies in seven holes to take him to 12 under par.

A bogey immediately followed on eight, which proved the Englishman’s final hole of the day, meaning he was tied with Michael Thorbjornsen on 11 overnight.

Play was scheduled to resume at 07:00 BST on Sunday, with American Johnny Keefer setting the clubhouse target at 10 under after compiling a third-round 64.

Defending champion Chris Gotterup, US Open winner Wyndham Clarke and England’s Jordan Smith were among the players not to complete 54 holes at 10 under, with Scotland’s Bob McIntyre a further back.