After three days of play at Royal County Down, only one man can say he has been under par walking off the 18th green. That man is Rory McIlroy, who followed up rounds of 68-70 to open the 2024 Irish Open with a 2-under 69 on Moving Day to go from two back to one in front heading into Sunday’s deciding round.
The world No. 3 stands at 6 under, one clear of Matteo Manassero and three ahead of the rest of a field that includes players such as Rasmus Højgaard, Erik van Rooyen and Robert MacIntyre at 3 under. MacIntyre is seeking to become the first player to win the Scottish Open and the Irish Open in the same year.
“I definitely would have taken the score before I went out today. Got off to the perfect start making 3 on [No.] 1,” McIlroy said. “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. Yeah, I think to shoot in the 60s today in those conditions, obviously a really good effort and that puts me in a good position going into tomorrow.”
McIlroy jumped into a share of the lead immediately Saturday as he made eagle on the par-5 1st for the second straight day. Lacing his approach from 180 yards to inside 6 feet, the Northern Irishman climbed to 6 under alongside the Italian, who had slept on the overnight lead.
McIlroy remained at that number making the turn having exchanged yet another bogey on the 5th with a birdie on the par-3 7th. A trio of pars set the stage for McIlroy’s greatest escape of the week on the 13th. After missing the fairway right off the tee, the 35-year-old vaulted his second high into the air and used the contours of the golf course to maneuver his ball onto the green just about 30 feet away. A long-distance connection was in order, and it marked McIlroy’s final birdie of the afternoon.Â
With Manassero struggling on the penultimate hole, McIlroy had a chance on the par-5 18th to further separate himself from the pack. Instead, he came back as sloppy ball striking up the finisher, and a missed 4-foot par putt made it so his lead stood at one.
Despite the hiccup to end, McIlroy finds himself in the driver’s seat in his home country. A winner 40 times around the world as professional — in places such as the United States, Canada, Scotland, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai — the kid from Holywood still seeks one in his own backyard.Â
“It would be amazing. I’m excited to give myself a chance,” McIlroy said. “The last couple times I’ve played in Northern Ireland, it hasn’t really panned out the way I wanted. So, to play a good three days here and be in the final group and give myself a chance tomorrow, yeah, I’m excited for 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.”