Rory grabs Wells-Fargo lead with a record 61
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When Rory McIlroy rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt on the 13th hole, he started thinking about shooting 59.
He didn’t quite get there Saturday, settling for an 11-under 61 to break the Quail Hollow record and take a four-shot lead in the Wells Fargo Championship.
After making nine birdies in a 10-hole stretch, the top-ranked McIlroy pushed his 7-iron on the par-3 17th hole to the right side of the green 40 feet from the cup. He settled for par and the dream was dashed.
“I was little disappointed with not finishing it off the way I wanted to, but still it was a great run,” McIlroy said.
It was McIlroy’s best round on the PGA Tour, but not his best ever. He said he had a putt for 59 on the 18th hole at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Fla., leading up to the Masters, but missed it. “I left it short,” McIlroy said with a laugh. He didn’t leave much short Saturday. He started the balmy afternoon three shots behind Webb Simpson and Robert Streb.
But after two pars to start the day he made five birdies on the front nine for a 31. He didn’t let up on the back, birdieing six of the first seven holes.
McIlroy is looking to become the first two-time winner of the event. At 18-under 198, he’s on pace to shatter the tournament record of 16-under set by Anthony Kim in 2008.
Simpson was second after three rounds, four strokes back after a 68. Streb shot a 71 and was seven shots behind heading into the final round on Sunday.
Phil Mickelson was playing well before a triple bogey on the 18th hole, which has become his nemesis. That dropped Mickelson to 71 on the day and left him 10 shots behind McIlroy and out of contention for a tournament he has never won.
Mickelson double bogeyed the 18th hole Thursday.
When asked what he took away from McIlroy’s round, playing partner Will MacKenzie said: “That he’s way better than me at golf.”