LIFFIN ON THE EDGE
Win unlikely for Rory but he refuses to throw in towel
HISTORY chasing Rory Mcilroy hopes romance trumps realism as he goes in search of a kiss of life in today’s third round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Mcilroy, bidding to become only the second Irishman alongside 1947 and 1949 champion Harry Bradshaw to win the title twice, would be a popular winner at Ballyliffin.
But the World No.8 is badly in need of a low score after yesterday’s frustrating 73 edged him back to one-under, seven shots off joint leaders Ryan Fox, Matthieu Pavon and Erik Van Rooyen.
A cold putter remains a cause for concern as he plays catch-up, but in a cramped field, Mcilroy – who was left to count the cost of consecutive bogeys at his last two holes – remains positive.
His target? Two rounds of 68 today and tomorrow would take him to 10-under for the tournament and leave him in the mix to win a second Irish Open in three years.
“Getting to double digits under par is a great target,” he said. “Depending on what the other guys do, I’d say if I shot two 68s over the weekend, I don’t think I’d be too far away.
“I wish I was a little bit closer but hopefully I can keep knocking on the door and turn things around. I just have to shoot a good one and hopefully climb the leaderboard.”
While Mcilroy’s long game was largely impeccable, he endured a another soul sapping day on the
Glashedy greens.
Navigating the double and triple breaks proved an equation too far, while a superb putt at the 18th – his ninth – which shoehorned back out again seemed to sum up his day.
“Even the good ones aren’t going in,” sighed Mcilroy. “It tested my patience and I was sort of mumbling to myself walking from the 18th green.
“I didn’t hole anything really again. I have to if I want to have a chance. The greens are tricky. I’ll keep plugging away and keep giving myself opportunities.”
While Mcilroy finds himself jockeying for position, he knows patience is key if he is to be in contention coming down the sun kissed stretch tomorrow.
“You can’t be too aggressive here,” he warned. “It’s hard to resist, but you can’t chase it. If you hit tee shots a little bit off line, you’re doing well to make bogey. You can end up in some deep stuff.”
At several points, the fourtime major champion appeared agitated by the machine gun click of photographers and fans pawing for their mobile phone cameras in the midst of his “routine”.
Asked if had been a distraction for him and playing partners Matthew Fitzpatrick (inset) and Thorbjorn Olesen, he said: “A little bit. It’s tough when you have to back off shots. You get put off.
“I wish people would consume golf a bit more through their eyes rather than the lens of their camera, but it is what it is. It’s the modern world and we have to deal with it.
“It’s a fantastic atmosphere. Hopefully I can give them something to cheer about.”
One plus for Mcilroy - who won at the K Club two years ago – was the fact he made the cut at an Irish Open for only the second time in six years.
“It’s a success in terms of the last few years,” he smiled.