Still the principal character but cast in the role of pursuer headed into the final round of the Amgen Irish Open, Rory McIlroy – like an energy conductor to the charged galleries who filled the grandstands and every available mound around the Palmer North course at The K Club – remained in contention, four shots adrift of Frenchman Adrien Saddier, through 54-holes of the €5.2 million tournament.
On a blustery day, with winds gusting to have players and their caddies second-guessing club selection and execution, a third round 68 for a total of 11-under-par 205 gave McIlroy back-to-back bogey-free rounds for which he credited his own patience in remaining firmly in the rear-view mirror of those ahead of him headed into Sunday’s final round.
“I feel like Scottie Scheffler,” quipped McIlroy of avoiding any bogeys for a second straight day in difficult conditions that nevertheless saw some players find a way to conquer the course.
Saddier shot a 68 for 15-under-par 201 which gave him a one-stroke lead over Spain’s Angel Hidalgo who had seven straight birdies at one point in a brilliant 63 that propelled him up 14 spots on the leader board to solo second.
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McIlroy, though, managed to keep a clean card where he fought hard for his pars at times and saw birdie chances miss at others.
“I haven’t really put myself in too many positions where it looked like I was making a bogey. I’ve holed out well, I’ve putted well from inside six feet this week, but it just seems like anything outside of that where I’ve given myself birdie chances, I’ve sort of hit the edge of the hole quite a few times and been a little bit frustrated with that,” said McIlroy.
“But overall, off the tee, it’s been really good, really encouraging. And then my iron play for the most part has been really good too. So, for a week where I wanted to come in here and see some good signs in my game, I’ve definitely done that. And tomorrow’s all about getting out there and competing and trying to put a bit of pressure on the guys behind (in the final two-ball).”
He added: “I had to stay patient today because I felt like my golf was better than what I ended up shooting. I felt like I could have shot two or three better. But tournament golf, it’s a bit of a marathon and you have to pace yourself and anything can happen over 18 holes tomorrow. So, we’ll see.”
McIlroy’s birdies came on the fourth, fifth, 14th and 18th, but he didn’t manage to birdie two of the Par 5s on the homeward run, the 10th and 16th.
For Shane Lowry, there was also some frustration with the putter, his woes showcased by a closing horseshoe on the 18th where a short birdie putt became a shorter par putter as he shot 70 for a six-under 210 in tied-21st.
“Look, it’s easy to stand here and dwell. I missed a few putts today. As a golfer, you’re trying to always see the glass as half-full. I feel like that’s some of the best golf I’ve played all year today. I’m very upbeat about tomorrow, next week, three weeks’ time. If I keep hitting the ball like that, I’ll be all right,” said Lowry, remaining upbeat.
He added: “I feel like the reason I’m missing short putts is I’m hitting them too hard. I’m trying to jam them in the hole, my pace has been off. Even that one on the last, if it didn’t catch the lip, it’s probably two or three feet past. From two-and-a-half feet, you shouldn’t be hitting it two feet past. It’s my own fault and an adjustment that I have to make.”
Tom McKibbin had a disappointing third round of 74 for 213 in tied-38th while Alex Maguire carded a 73 for 215 in tied-52nd.
For Saddier, who made his DP World Tour breakthrough when winning the Italian Open in June, the task is to finish the job and avoid looking over his shoulder for anyone, especially McIlroy.
“There is still 18 holes to play, so a lot of things can happen. I’m focused on tomorrow and what I have to do and what I can control. We’ll see what happens,” said the Frenchman of Sunday’s final round.
