McIlroy and Thomas set to duel in a fitting farewell to Firestone

THEY will draw the curtain on top-class golf at Firestone after 65 years today — but what a final chapter it promises to be at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

World No3 Justin Thomas is the man to catch but look who is doing the pursuing, with Rory McIlroy accompanying him in the final group, and Ian Poulter standing alongside the Northern Irishman in joint second place.

The last time McIlroy won a major four years ago, he arrived at Valhalla on a high after claiming this prestigious title. This afternoon, he will now have the chance to head to the 100th USPGA Championship at Bellerive — which starts on Thursday — with the same feeling.

It will be far from easy, mind, given Thomas will begin with a three-shot lead. But McIlroy (right) was three behind at the same stage four years ago, and easily caught Sergio Garcia.

Poulter, of course, shouldn’t be ruled out. He’d certainly relish catching a formidable American to remove the last vestige of doubt that he will be at the Ryder Cup next month.

He didn’t shoot his best stuff with a 70 but he’s still in the mix.

As for the other Englishman who began with a share of the halfway lead, Tommy Fleetwood fell seven behind after an errorstrewn 74, while Tiger Woods could only shoot 73. Russell Knox is level par after a 73.

McIlroy will fall back on a typical rehearsal schedule for the PGA after an experiment at the US Open in June went oh-so wrong.

‘I walked the course the Saturday before the event with just a wedge and putter in my hand and I’ve never done that before in my life,’ he said. ‘I did all my preparation, I thought I had covered every base, and what happened? I was nine over par after ten holes. So, you can definitely overthink it.’

It’s one of the reasons why he will be seeing Bellerive for the first time tomorrow.

‘It did cross my mind to go up there last week when I got home to Florida from Carnoustie,’ he said. ‘But I haven’t done that in the past for the PGA and I’ve won the event twice, so why change what’s worked for me?’

This week might mark four years since his last major but McIlroy is in the mood to end the drought.

GEORGIA HALL birdied three of her last four holes to move to within one shot of the lead going into the final round of the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

She trails leader Pornanong Phatlum by one shot.