Irish Open: Rory McIlroy holds slim lead at Royal County Down

14/09/2024 18:27

Rory McIlroy battled through the elements at Royal County Down and now holds a one-shot lead going into the final round of his national open.

The 18th hole at Royal County Down usually presents a closing birdie opportunity, a chance to remedy the challenging round you just faced. But with a 25-mile-per-hour wind racing down from the Mourne Mountains on Saturday, this closing par-5 played straight into the breeze, forcing players to hang on for dear life to wrap up their day.

That's what happened to Rory McIlroy, who bogied the 18th after hitting a quasi-shank. After going wayward off the tee, McIlroy could not find the fairway with his layup, as his second shot nestled down on a sidehill. His third shot went off the toe of his wedge, and he failed to get up and down from 47 yards short of the green, making a six. But the Ulsterman played well enough on Saturday to shoot a 2-under 69. He holds a one-shot advantage over Matteo Manassero through 54 holes at the Amgen Irish Open.

"I definitely would have taken the score before I went out today," McIlroy said.

"Got off to the perfect start, making three on [the par-5 1st]. And then it was just a matter of trying to par as many holes as possible, and if you picked up a birdie here and there, it was a bonus."

McIlroy made an eagle on Royal County Down's opening hole for the second consecutive day, taking advantage of the wind at his back. He is 5-under on this hole for the week, a big reason why he has the lead.

His round then steadied from there, mainly due to how challenging this golf course is. It's difficult even without a steady wind. But when the breeze begins to blow, Royal County Down becomes borderline impossible. Only eight of the 68 players who made the cut posted under-par scores on Saturday, which explains that reality. Nobody shot lower than a 2-under 69. Only 12 players are under par for the championship through 54 holes.

McIlroy's playing partner Todd Clements, who held the day one lead after a terrific 66, a round he called "the best of his life," had a disastrous round on Saturday. The Englishman shot a 14-over 85, dropping 62 spots down the leaderboard, and is now 17 shots back of McIlroy.

"I think to shoot in the 60s today in those conditions, yeah, obviously a really good effort," McIlroy added.

"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 bonuses. Overall, it was another very steady, solid day, and I've given myself a good chance tomorrow."

After his eagle on the 1st, McIlroy made only two birdies the rest of the way. His first par-breaker came at the short par-3 7th, thanks to a gorgeous approach. He then made an otherworldly three on the par-4 13th after finding the native area off the tee. McIlroy drained a 32-footer to improve to 7-under for the championship. But that bogey on 18 dropped him back to 6-under.

Still, he has a terrific chance to win a second Irish Open title, which would mean the world to him.

"It would be amazing. I'm excited to give myself a chance," McIlroy said.

"The last couple of times I've played in Northern Ireland, it hasn't really panned out the way I wanted. So, to play well three days here, be in the final group, and give myself a chance [on Sunday; yeah, I'm excited about the opportunity, and I can't get too far ahead of myself, but yeah, I'm excited to go out there and give it my all tomorrow."

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThroughfor more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.