As the winds whipped up a storm over Royal County Down, Rory McIlroy proved heโs as sturdy as the old castle standing guard over Newcastle, leading the charge at the Amgen Irish Open with a gritty performance that left him perched atop the leaderboard. His scorecard? A steady two under par 69 on a day when the gusts played tricks on many a golfer’s ambitions.
Now, McIlroy isnโt just any golfer. The man from Holywood, just a stone’s throw away, strutted into the third round with the confidence of someone who knows every blade of grass on this course.
But even local heroes feel the pressure, and Saturday was no walk in the park. He kicked off with an eagle, finding the cup from five feet out after a peach of a shot from the roughโa clear signal of intent.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The fifth hole proved pesky yet again, as Rory carded his third bogey there in as many days.
And bouncing back is what the greats do, and bounce back he did, with a chirpy birdie on the seventh to keep his scorecard in the red.
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.
The highlight reel wouldโve loved to capture his birdie putt on the 13thโa cool 32-footer that had the crowd holding their breath. But alas, a wayward drive on the 18th saw him drop a shot, slicing his lead to a mere whiskerโone stroke ahead of Italy’s Matteo Manassero.
Speaking of Manassero, the Italian isn’t just here to make up the numbers. After his comeback win in South Africa, he’s hungry for more.
Despite a rocky start and a card that looked like a stock market chart, he stayed in contention, just a stroke behind our leader.
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.
The Scots are coming too, with Robert MacIntyre making his move. He’s aiming to stitch his name into the record books by winning both the Irish and Scottish Opens in the same yearโa feat as rare as a calm day in Newcastle.
As we gear up for the final day, the leaderboard is tighter than a new pair of golf shoes.
McIlroy is clinging to his lead with dreams of clinching his first professional win on Northern Irish soil, an achievement that would no doubt be sweeter than a pint of the black stuff.
Off the course, the spirit of giving hasn’t been dampened by the wind, with the Birdies for Wishes campaign raising a hefty ยฃ23,200 on the day, pushing the total to a heartwarming ยฃ100,000. Itโs a reminder that while the golf is grand, the generosity is grander.
Sundayโs showdown is set to be a cracker. Will McIlroy hold his nerve and lift the trophy, or will the chasing pack reel him in?
One thing’s for sure: it’s anyone’s game at the Amgen Irish Open’s thrilling third round.
