Rory McIlroy is in pole position to secure a dream Amgen Irish Open title after posting a two under par round of 69 on day three at Royal County Down.
Related: Matteo Manassero leads Amgen Irish Open
The Northern Irishman, who hails from nearby Holywood, leads by one on six under par with Italy’s Matteo Manassero one stroke behind after carding a one over 72 in blustery conditions in Newcastle.
McIlroy was one of only four players to break 70, with none of them managing to better his effort, and the four-time Major winner made his intentions clear from the off with an impressive eagle at the par five first after a glorious approach from the right rough to five feet.
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He bogeyed the fifth for the third day in succession but then returned to red numbers with another sublime approach to the short par three seventh.
The 35-year-old threatened to burst clear when he holed from 32 feet for birdie on the 13th but a second dropped shot of the day at the last, following a wayward drive, meant his advantage halved to one ahead of Sunday’s final round.
McIlroy will tomorrow bid to win in his home country of Northern Ireland for the first time as a professional and seal the island of Ireland’s national open title for the second time, after capturing his first in 2016 at The K Club.
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Manassero, who completed a remarkable return to the top of the game when he won a fifth DP World Tour title in South Africa earlier this year almost 11 years after capturing his fourth, mixed four bogeys with three birdies but was unable to make the 52-footer on the last that would have sent him into Sunday with a share of the lead.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is looking to make history of his own on Sunday as he bids to become the first player to win both the Amgen Irish Open and the Genesis Scottish Open in the same season, and he will go into day four just three off the lead in a tie for third.
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The two-time PGA TOUR winner is joined on three under par by Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard, Englishman Jordan Smith and South African Erik van Rooyen.
Player quotes
Rory McIlroy: I’m very happy. I would have taken that score before going out today. Conditions were very, very difficult. I thought I did well. After the really good start, just hanging in there and making as many pars as I could, picking up a birdie here and there, those are sort of bonuses. Overall, another very steady, solid day, and I’ve given myself a good chance tomorrow.
It would be great (a win tomorrow). I talked about it at the start of the week. You know, after the sort of year that I’ve had and the close misses, it wouldn’t make up for all of it, but it would go a long way in putting a nice shine on 2024.
I can’t get that far ahead of myself. I need to go out and play another very solid round tomorrow to try to get the job done. But I’m pleased with the first three days.
I don’t mind the wind. I’ve proven that I can play in the wind and win in the wind in Scotland last year and a few other places. But when it’s like this and the rain starts is when it becomes somewhat less enjoyable. If it stays dry like this, I’m happy.
It’s a pleasure to play in front of everyone from home and getting cheered on every hole. It’s really nice and hopefully I can keep giving them something to cheer about tomorrow.
Matteo Manassero: I think it was (a grind) for everybody. I thought I played well. Just one bad shot but you know, the rest was hitting a good shot and putting from 20 yards. It was really tough.
But I’m happy the way I was on the golf course. And we talked about yesterday, I really focused just on myself and the right attitude and with the right frame of mind to enjoy this test. Because at the end of the day, you can’t try to do things too precise. You do your thing, but then nature calls the shots. So, it was a good day, and I’m happy that I still have a chance.
They are not birdies (on 17 and 18) but they feel like them a little bit, and that’s how it is out there. I would have loved to not get beaten from the golf course but I think I did really well to finish with two fives to be honest.
It’s going to be really loud, and the crowd is going to be very supportive for Rory. But at the same time, playing last group in an Irish Open with Rory, it’s a nice experience. I played with him in Scotland, so I know how the crowd is. I know that I’m going to hear a lot of, “Go Rory.” It’s going to be fun.
Robert MacIntyre: I thought it was brilliant from start to finish there. I really stayed as patient as I could, even on 18 there. I’ve only got seven, eight yards, I think it was and I’m not even looking at the pin. I’m trying to hit it on the green and get out of there with par.
It was absolutely brutal. Even downwind, you think you’re going to get a bit of respite but it’s so hard to control the golf ball. That finishing stretch, 15, they have moved the tee up but there’s nowhere else to hit it. I had a 5-iron in the air and it was just get it around the green left side and try to make four.
Winning any golf tournament is special but winning one close to home; Oban is not too far away on the west coast of Scotland. I want to win every tournament I’m out there but there’s so much that goes into it.
Today was a day that I got myself right in position. What I set out to do at the start of the week was give myself a chance come Sunday. We’re here now, and hopefully go out tomorrow, play well and fight hard and see where the cards fall.
