Golf

Rory McIlroy loses ground after poor back nine in Shanghai

The world number three is now eight shots adrift of Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (-17)

Rory McIlroy in action at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters
Rory McIlroy in action at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters
Sat Oct 29 2016 - 09:43

World number three Rory McIlroy lost ground in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Saturday with three bogeys on the back nine to end up with a 70. That leaves him eight shots off the lead held by Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.

McIlroy had started his third round at Sheshan International with birdies on the second and sixth, but his chances of another on the par-five eighth looked to have disappeared following a wild approach.

However, the four-time major winner took on the risky recovery shot to a green protected by water, hitting a superbly-controlled low pitch to 15 feet and holing for an unlikely four.

The Northern Irishman though failed to build on that. He has a share of eighth place on nine-under with five others, including British Open champion Henrik Stenson (67) and American Matt Kuchar, whose 68 included a hole-in-one on the shortened par-three 17th.

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Matsuyama turned in a flawless round to head into the final day's play with a three-shot lead over reigning champion Russell Knox.

Starting the day with a three-stroke cushion after 19 birdies over the first two rounds, Matsuyama was again in impeccable form, carding a four-under-par 68 to end the day 17-under for the tournament.

The 24-year-old picked up just one shot in his first eight holes but birdies at the ninth, the par-five 14th and the last kept him ahead of the chasing pack at the $9.5 million event.

“The first two days, making lots of birdies, it’s a lot of fun,” the world number 10 said.

“But today, when you’re in a position to win, playing smart and making no bogeys was very satisfying to me ... I think the key for tomorrow’s round will be not making any bogeys.”

Knox, who won on debut last year, also carded 68, with American Daniel Berger a shot behind him in third place on 13-under after mixing eight birdies and three bogeys in his 67.

“I’m not going to give up my title without a big fight tomorrow,” said Knox.

“The way Hideki played today, he’s probably going to play similarly tomorrow. He’s an extremely aggressive iron player, and when he’s on, he’s as good as anyone. I’m going to have to be foot down, be aggressive and try and catch him.”