Frustration as Rory McIlroy falls away at Scottish Open

Defending champion Rory McIlroy heads into the final round of the Scottish Open five shots off the lead after a frustrating third round of 67.

A year after McIlroy denied home favourite Robert MacIntyre with some last-gasp heroics, the Scot is now well-placed to claim the title he craves most.

For the third day running, McIlroy felt he could easily have been two or three shots better off, the world number two covering his first 10 holes in four under before a run of seven straight pars and a bogey on the 18th.

"The birdies dried up," admitted McIlroy, who is competing for the first time since agonisingly missing out on a fifth major title in the US Open.

"I kept hitting good shots, especially the last few holes. I think I had three 8-footers on 15, 16, 17 for birdie that I didn't convert and made bogey on the last.

"So the last four holes I’ve probably played them the worst that I could, which is unfortunate because I felt like I could have been right up there, sort of at 15-under around the lead, and to give one away at the last is disappointing.

"But I’ll be within three or four [of the lead] and at least still have a shot if I get off to a good start. It’s another opportunity to go out there and try to win a very prestigious tournament that’s got a lot of history."

MacIntyre carded a third round of 63 at the Renaissance Club, the lowest of the day in changeable conditions, to trail Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg by two shots.

Aberg followed consecutive rounds of 64 with a 65 to reach 17 under par, with MacIntyre on 15 under and former world number one Adam Scott another shot back following a 64 compiled alongside the home favourite.

Even a three-putt bogey on the 18th could not take the shine off MacIntyre’s day, the