RUB OF THE GREENS

short further back on 9-under. Defending champion Jon Rahm is eight shots off the lead despite shooting a 5-under 67, while tournament host Rory Mcilroy is out of contention at one-under. Van Rooyen, who has never been higher than 130rd in the world, said: “I would love to win here - but there are 18 holes left to navigate.”

On his second impressive round in two days, he said: “Sometimes you get in a groove as a golfer. Things just happen and you hit great shots and great putts and that’s what happened.”

A frustrated Rory Mcilroy, who shot a level par 72, was left counting the cost of a cold putter as he failed to complement superb tee-togreen stats with similar figures on the greens.

The four-time Major champion said: “It’s tough walking off the course with even par when you’ve given yourself loads of chances.

“It feels like you should go out and shoot five or six-under par every day (on this course), but it’s a little trickier that that.”

Andy Sullivan equalled the course record of 65 with the lowest round of the day, taking the Englishman to 7-under.

SOUTH African Erik Van Rooyen is already a history maker as he prepares to defend a four shot lead in today’s final round of the Irish Open at Ballyliffin.

The 28-year-old, who shot a third round 66 to back up Friday’s stunning 65 to go 14-under for the tournament, is the first South African to lead the event heading into the last day.

Van Rooyen (left), chasing his first ever win on the European Tour, shot six birdies in a bogey free round to give himself breathing space at the top of the leaderboard.

With 18 holes to play, he is four clear of New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and Swede Joakim Lagergren, with 2016 Masters champion Danny Willet a