McIlroy soars into share of lead

Hadwin one back in quest to end Canada futility in home event

HAMILTON, Ontario — Rory McIlroy added the RBC Canadian Open to his schedule as a tune-up for this week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Now he has a chance to add another national championship to his impressive tally.

The Northern Irishman shot a bogey-free 6-under-par 64 on Saturday to move into a share of the lead after three rounds at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

“I think the best preparation for tournaments ahead is to get yourself into contention and feel the heat of battle, and going down the stretch hitting the shots when you need to,” McIlroy said. “If you can do that, then I don’t think there is anything else in the game that will give you more confidence than that.”

Seeking his second victory of the season, McIlroy surged into a tie with Webb Simpson (67) and Matt Kuchar (69) at 13-under 197. McIlroy’s round was tied for best on the day with Jonathan Byrd, who was tied for ninth at 8 under. Kuchar, who also shared the second-round lead, has a shot at his career-best third victory of the season.

Adam Hadwin, seeking to become the first Canadian winner of the event since 1954, was one shot back after a 67. Shane Lowry (66) and Brandt Snedeker (69) also were 12 under.

McIlroy won The Players Championship in March but has not seriously contended since. A victory would be his fifth in a national open, following the U.S. Open (2011), Australian Open (2013), British Open (2014) and Irish Open (2016). McIroy also counts the Hong Kong Open (2011) as part of his national-championship tally.

“National championships are very important,” McIlroy said. “They’re the oldest championships in our game for the most part.”

Simpson has played 54 holes without a bogey.

■ LPGA: At Galloway, N.J., Jeongeun Lee6 made a 4-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to grab a one-stroke lead over Mariah Stackhouse after two rounds of the ShopRite Classic.

Lee6 shot a 2-under 69 for a 10-under 132 total as she seeks to become the fifth player and first in 15 years to win the U.S. Women’s Open and the following tournament in consecutive weeks.

Stackhouse (67) seeks to become the first African-American to win an LPGA Tour event. Lexi Thompson (70) was in a three-way tie for third at 134.

■ Champions: At Naria-shi, Japan, Schwab Cup standings leader Scott McCarron made a 20-foot birdie on his final hole to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Mastercard Japan Championship.

McCarron’s second-round 5-under 67 left him at 8-under 136, with Kirk Triplett (68) alone in second. Cliff Kresge (66), Billy Andrade (69), Scott Parel (68) and Darren Clark (70) were two strokes back.

First-round leader Ken Tanigawa (77) fell into a tie for 18th.

■ European PGA: At Cascais, Portugal, Thailand won a nearestthe-pin playoff against England to win the GolfSixes Cascais. Phachara Khongwatmai hit a shot to inside 6 feet to clinch victory with Thongchai Jaidee over Tom Lewis and Paul Waring.

Nathan Denette The Associated Press Rory McIlroy follows through on his shot from the 17th tee Saturday in the third round of the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.