Genesis Scottish Open - Day three digest 

Everything you need to know from the third round at The Renaissance Club.

Xander continued his fine recent form to take the 54-hole lead, Rafa produced a remarkable scoring run, Jordan thrilled the crowds with a hole-out and Max continued his links marathon.

Here is everything you need to know from day three at The Renaissance Club.

Schauffele surges to the top

Xander Schauffele is a man in form. The American has won his last two events – the Travelers Championship on the PGA TOUR and the JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor in Ireland earlier this week. He has maintained that momentum in East Lothian at The Renaissance Club. The American began the third round four shots behind countryman Cameron Tringale, but a four-under 66 saw him end the day with a two-shot lead over nearest challenger Rafa Cabrera Bello. After 16 holes of his third round Schauffele was six-under-par for the day and held a four-shot cushion, but a bogey-bogey finish saw his advantage reduced. “I'm just going to focus on what I can do now and not get too carried away,” said Schauffele, who is looking to make history as the winner of the first event co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. "If you play really solid golf with a lead, you're going to win, that's just how it works out here."

Cabrera Bello going for another Rolex Series title

Cabrera Bello began the year with a runner-up finish at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the first Rolex Series event of the 2022 DP World Tour season. The Spaniard is well placed to win a second Rolex Series title, having won Scotland’s national Open at Dundonald Links in 2017. The four-time DP World Tour winner was one-over-par through the front nine before his round was ignited with an eagle at the par-five tenth and three subsequent birdies through to the 13th. The 2016 Ryder Cup star dropped a shot at the 15th as he carded for an impressive 67 – his third round in the 60s this week.

Spieth magic

Jordan Spieth appears to be relishing his debut appearance at the Genesis Scottish Open this year. The three-time Major winner vaulted himself into contention with an entertaining 66 on Saturday. The highlight of his day happened at the par-four 15th when he holed his approach shot from 108 yards. His ball took a big bounce forward on the firm green before spinning sideways and tumbling into the cup for an eagle, resulting in a roar of applause from the crowd. “I’ve had my fair share of breaks on hole-outs over the years but the ones that go in with the right speed are the ones that I walk away even happier with,” he said afterwards.

Homa having a ‘blast’ on the links

Such is the allure of links golf for some, four-time PGA TOUR winner Max Homa wanted more practice after his opening two rounds at The Renaissance Club. The American warmed up for the weekend action with a twilight round at North Berwick on Friday after receiving an invite from the club’s assistant professional. “It's a bucket list golf course, and I never play 36 holes a day during a tournament week but for North Berwick, I had to,” he reflected. “I saw it on a video back in the day and I've been wanting to go for years. Very, very fortunate to have Scott take me out, the pro over there. It was a blast.” Rather than being fatigued, the extra time on the course paid dividends as he shot a blemish-free 66 on Saturday to get into the top ten on the leaderboard.

Smith nearly makes second ace of the week

A day after winning a Genesis car for both himself and his caddie, Jordan Smith almost made another hole in one at the par-three 17th in the third round. The Englishman could only chuckle at setting up a tap-in birdie on his way to a one-under 69 that left him in a group of three players at four under.