NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland – Rory McIlroy hit enough excellent shots in strong winds Saturday to shoot a 2-under-par 69 to move one stroke ahead of Matteo Manassero at the Irish Open as McIlroy looks to erase two bad memories on home soil.
McIlroy had to settle for a bogey on the par-5 final hole at Royal County Down, hitting a half-shank out of the rough on his third shot. Despite this, the wind was strong enough to result in him recording the lowest score of the third round. Only three other players scored 69 and four more were under par.
Manassero, who began the day with a one-stroke lead, did his best to hold on to it. He dropped just one shot in the final 10 holes, on the 17th, when he hit his tee shot into the tall grass and could only hit it back onto the fairway. He needed two putts from 50 feet and came away with a bogey.
McIlroy was 6 under par at 207 as he sought his second Irish Open title. He has never won in Northern Ireland and things have not gone well for him. McIlroy started with an 80 the last time the Irish Open was held at Royal County Down in 2015. And at the British Open five years ago at Royal Portrush, he started with a 79. Both times he missed the cut.
“I’m happy to give myself a chance,” McIlroy said. “The last few times I’ve played in Northern Ireland, things haven’t gone the way I wanted. I can’t plan too much ahead, but I’m excited to go out there and give it my all.”
Robert MacIntyre was tied for third place by four strokes after a 69, meaning the Scot is still in the running for his third national title this year. MacIntyre previously won the Canadian Open in June and the Scottish Open in July.
Jordan Smith (69), Erik van Rooyen (71) and Rasmus Hojgaard (71) were also at 3 under 210.
Todd Clements, who played alongside McIlroy in front of the largest crowd, had the toughest day. Clements started one stroke behind and shot 85.
Manassero did a good job of staying close. He struggled on the 17th tee and made a bogey. On the final hole, a par 5, he rammed his 50-foot birdie attempt about 10 feet wide of the hole, making a par to stay one shot behind.
“They’re not birdies, but they always feel a little bit like that, and that’s the way it is out there,” Manassero said. “I would have loved to not have been hit off the golf course, but I think I did really well to finish with two 5s, to be honest.”
McIlroy started with an approach shot that took perfect advantage of the slope to allow his shot to roll down to 6 feet for an eagle. His best shot was a 7-iron to 6 feet on the par-3 7th hole. Every birdie after the par-5 1st hole felt like a bonus.
“It was about shooting par on as many holes as possible,” he said.
He saved par behind the 17th green. On the 18th, he hit his drive into the right rough, hit the nasty rough to the left, then hit a half-shank that bounced off the stands to the right. He chipped beautifully to 6 feet, but missed the par putt and settled for 69.
“I would definitely have taken the result today before I went out,” he said.
