MITCHELL PREPARES FOR WAR
HANDS OFF OUR KIDS!
The world No.2 overcame a back problem to fire a 67 in round three at Glendower Golf Club.
But that was not enough to close the gap on England’s Graeme Storm, (right) who also shot a 67 to get to 17 under.
McIlroy said: “I’d like to be a few shots better or at least a few shots closer to the lead.
“Hopefully I can get off to a good start in the final round and put a bit of pressure on Graeme and t hen i t will get interesting.”
A win for Storm would represent a truly remarkable comeback for a player who lost his European Tour card by just 100 in October but was handed a reprieve when United States Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed failed to play enough events.
McIlroy twice caught Storm yesterday, firstly when birdies on the second and eighth sandwiched a stunning eagle from 157 yards on the par-four seventh and again when he made a hat-trick of gains from the ALEX MILLER PITTSBURGH’S Mike Mitchell says he is ready for war today as the divisional round of the NFL play-offs conclude.
The free safety (below) knows the Steelers, who thrashed Miami in last week’s AFC wildcard round, will not have things as easy this week as they travel to Kansas City.
And despite star running-back Le’Veon Bell setting a rushing record in that play-off battering of the Dolphins, Mitchell knows it is the physical battle which will prove to be the biggest factor today.
He said: “We wanted to tee off on the Dolphins and establish a physical game because we felt they got after us in October.
“Against the Chiefs it is a little bit different. We kind of got after them in October, so we are expecting them to be extremely hostile – just like we were against Miami.
“It’s definitely one of those games where you’re going to have to bring it from a physical manner. That’s who we want to be but that’s what our opponent’s definitely going to be trying to do.
“I’m getting my mind, body and spirit ready to go to war.
“I’m a little guy and I like to hit. And when our big guys are running around it produces a climate that we want, a lot of big hits and chances for turnovers.”
In tonight’s other game, the Aaron Rodgersinspired Green Bay Packers travel to No.1 NFC seed Dallas, who are looking to reach their first Super Bowl since 1996.
But Rodgers is in superb form, as shown by his current run of 285 pass attempts without an interception.
But he said: “At this point, it’s all about winning.
“If you throw a pick and you win, nobody cares about the pick.
“It’s about winning right now.” JULIE STOTT CHRIS CHESTER has warned Wakefield’s “kidnappers” that they will have to look elsewhere in future. Trinity have a proud history of producing potentially great kids but have often failed to hang on to them. But coach Chester says the club is now strong enough to convince the youngsters that the future is bright at Belle Vue. Super League’s 2016 Young Player of the Year Tom Johnstone has been given a long-term deal, as have other starlets including James Batchelor. Chester (left) said: “We’ve always been able to produce kids but not been able to keep hold of them. “But owner Michael Carter is making sure that happens now.” Trinity host Castleford in a friendly today. Tigers winger Joel Monaghan, stand-off Ben Roberts and prop Andy Lynch all play after missing most of last season.