Hovland and McIlroy played together on the third day at what is also called the British Open and both went around on 66 strokes after being followed on the difficult windswept links course.
They will also play together during the last round of the day - and have a real lead back to the duo Cameron Smith and Cameron Young who are four strokes behind on the Scottish course on the coast outside Dundee.
- I always watched The Open when I was growing up and winning a major competition that is closest to my home would be very fun, says 24-year-old Hovland to VG.
McIlroy excelled on the tenth hole with a magic bunker hit with an eagle on the par 4 hole.
"Things that create dreams"
World runner-up McIlroy is the crowd favorite and has not won a major in eight years.
- It is indescribably cool to have the chance to win The Open at St Andrews.
It's the kind of thing that creates dreams.
I will try to make that dream come true, says 33-year-old McIlroy, who won his four previous majors between 2011 and 2014, according to AP.
The leader ball strikes at 15.50 on what is called the cradle of golf.
Norwegian Suzann Pettersen won two majors during her career.