Amgen Irish Open: Rory McIlroy goes into the final day one stroke ahead of Matteo Manassero | Golf News
Rory McIlroy shot 69 in the third round and goes into the final round of the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down with a one-stroke lead.
When Royal County Down last hosted the Amgen Irish Open in 2015, tournament host McIlroy missed the cut with rounds of 80 and 71.
Nine years later, the world number three will go into Sunday’s finals ahead of Matteo Manassero, aiming for his first professional victory on Northern Irish soil.
The first three holes were played directly downwind, and McIlroy’s eagle on the par-5 first was the tenth hole of the day – fellow countryman Tom McKibbin came inches from an albatross. After losing a stroke on the fifth hole, the four-time major winner birdied the seventh to take sole control of the lead.
Another birdie on the 13th hole seemed to give McIlroy a bigger lead, but a bogey on the final hole meant he had to settle for the lowest score of the day and a 54-hole total of six under par.
The previous night’s leader Manassero, who won his first DP World Tour title in over 10 years in South Africa in March, battled to a third-round 72 to finish at five under par. Robert MacIntyre, Jordan Smith, Erik van Rooyen and Rasmus Hojgaard were all at three under par.
The previous night’s leader, Matteo Manassero, is one stroke behind the lead after a third round of 72 strokes
MacIntyre was four over par after seven holes of the second round, but played the remaining 11 holes at five under par and was delighted to match McIlroy’s 69 on Saturday.
With a win tomorrow, MacIntyre would be the first player to win the Scottish Open and the Irish Open in the same season.
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McIlroy “in great position” to secure his first win in Northern Ireland
McIlroy was pleased with his third round of 69, which he played in difficult conditions with wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour.
“I would definitely have taken the result today before I was eliminated,” he said. “I had a perfect start with a three-on-one and then it was just about finishing as many holes with par as possible.”
“If you got a birdie here and there it was a bonus, but I think it was a really good effort to play in the 60s today in these conditions and it puts me in a great position for tomorrow.
McIlroy shot a 69 in the third round, overtaking the previous night’s leader, Matteo Manassero
“The last few times I’ve played in Northern Ireland it hasn’t gone as I would have liked, so I’m looking forward to playing three good days here, being in the final group and giving myself a chance tomorrow.
“After the year I’ve had and the near-defeats, it wouldn’t make up for everything, but it would go a long way in putting 2024 in a good light.
“I can’t look that far ahead. I’ve got to go out there tomorrow and play another very solid round to try and get the job done, but I’m happy with how the first three days have gone.”
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