Rory McIlroy needs to produce some final-round fireworks to retain his Genesis Scottish Open title after a poor finish left him five shots behind Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg.
The world number two made four birdies and a bogey to turn in 32, but he came home on level par as he followed a birdie at the 10th with missed three eight-footers in a row at the 15th, 16th and 17th before a loose second led to a closing bogey.
His three under 67 left him tied for eighth on 12 under, five shots behind Åberg, whose 65 gave him a two-shot lead on 17 under from home hope Robert MacIntyre, who posted a superb 63.
“You know, four under through ten today and then the birdies dried up,” said McIlroy, who fell further behind when Aberg birdied the 16th and 17th to separate himself at the top.
“I kept hitting good shots, especially on the last few holes but I missed three eight footers on 15 16, 17 for birdie and then bogeying the last, I’ve played the last four holes probably the worst that I could, which is unfortunate because I felt like I could have been right up there.
“I was at 15 under and around the lead and then to give one away at the last is disappointing.”
McIlroy was just three behind as he spoke but at five back, he knows he needs an even faster
start than he envisaged on Sunday if he’s to make history by becoming the first player to retain the title.
“I think it’s sort of similar to what Bob did today,” he said of MacIntyre, who was five under after seven holes.
“You know, you get off to a good start and you sort of try to ride that momentum.
“I didn’t get off to quite as fast of a start on the front nine as I did yesterday. But that’s what I’m going to need tomorrow.
“I’m going to need to be at least three under through five to get myself right up there on the leaderboard and then from there, just try to keep it going.
“As I said, I wish that was two or three shots better off but it’s another opportunity to go out there and try to win a very prestigious tournament that that’s got a lot of history.
“As I said, i just need to get off to a good start and try to ride that momentum.”
Aberg was pleased with his score, remarking: “Not the most stress-free golf but it was a good score again. I’m pleased with the way I hung in there and finished it out. Felt like I was swinging well and hitting the putts the way I wanted to and tried to read them. Then obviously when a putt like that goes in on 13, it gives you a little bit of an extra boost I guess. It doesn’t change anything. We just tried to hit the best shot the best we can and take it from there.
“I like looking at leaderboards. I think it’s important to know where you’re standing, and I did that today, and I saw some really good scores early on. It makes you hungry and it makes you stay on the front foot and be aggressive, and felt like I did that well today. It will be fun. Looks like I’m playing with Bob as well, so it will be a cool pairing and looking forward to it. “
MacIntyre was pipped by McIlroy’s birdie-birdie finish last year and hopes for a different outcome this time.
“I’m delighted,” the Scot said. “The last is a difficult hole, whether it’s flat calm, downwind, into the wind, it’s difficult and when they put the pin up that top shelf it makes it even harder. Overall I played absolutely brilliantly. Tee-to-green was solid again. Rolled the putter beautifully. Just got to let it happen.
It’s brilliant. To come home and have the home support, I said it from the start, I just want to be in with a chance going into Sunday and I’ve given myself that chance. Back home in Scotland, I said it from the start, it’s one I want but I can only control me and I’ve controlled myself very well so far. I have 18 holes to control myself even more.
“I’ve not been shy in saying it: The Scottish Open is the one I want. It’s not going to change tomorrow. I’m in that position. I’ve been doing good things. I’ve been playing well. Not just this week but for the previous kind of eight weeks, I feel like my game has been in good shape. Tomorrow is just another round of golf, and I’ve just got to control me and if I do that well, then I’m going to be in with a chance.”
Seamus Power saw his hopes of winning one of three spots in The Open evaporate when he carded a three-over 73 to slip to 71st on one under.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou carded a four-under 67 to take a one-shot lead over American Lauren Coughlin and Japan’s Ayaka Furue into the final round of the Amundi Evian Championship.
The weather delayed second round was completed early in the morning with Leona Maguire, who finished on Friday, two shots outside the level par cut mark after a brace of 72s as Stephanie Meadow completed an 81 to miss out on 13-over.
Furue led by two strokes at halfway from Kyriacou and Thailand’s Patty Tatavanakit on 12 under.
But the Japanese star’s one under 70 was not enough to retain the lead.
Kyriacou shot a four-under 67 to set the pace on 14 under as Coughlin eagled the 18th to shoot 65 and tie with Furue on 13 under.
In amateur golf, Ireland lost 5-2 to England in the bronze medal match at the European Ladies’s Amateur Team Championship to finish fourth in Madrid.
Germany beat France 4.5-2.5 to claim the title while Sweden beat the Netherlands 3-2 to take the men’s crown in Turin.
Ireland finished 13th, beating Scotland 3-2 in Flight B to avoid relegation to Division 2 next year.
France won the Boys‘ title in Austria, while Ireland finished 13th. In the Girls’ Championship in Sweden, England beat Germany 3-2 to take the title, while an already relegated Ireland beat Scotland 3-2 to finish 15th.