Champion effort for Rory in US
DEFENDING champion Rory Mcilroy made a sensational charge to the top of the Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard after a superb third round yesterday in Florida.
The Northern Ireland ace began the day seven shots behind leaders Tommy Fleetwood and Keegan Bradley but as they faltered badly, Mcilroy shone.
Three birdies in the last four holes put the gloss on a magnificent six under round of 66 and gave him the outright lead at eight under for a time.
England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick was one ahead of Mcilroy near the close of his round and American Kevin Kisner also reached eight under with four holes still to play last night.
If the Holywood ace could close it out tonight he would reach 15 PGA Tour wins before the age of 30. Only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have managed that feat since 1934.
“I’m feeling good about my game, I have been all year,” said Mcilroy, who has four consecutive top five finishes in 2019.
“I’m feeling good, this was a great round to play to get myself back into contention.
“It’s just a matter of doing the right things and doing them day after day.
“And if I do all those, maybe tomorrow’s the day, maybe tomorrow’s the day that I can put it all together and shoot another good round of golf and hopefully that will be good enough.”
Mcilroy birdied four of the opening six holes before giving a stroke back on No.8. He then rattled off six consecutive pars around the turn before his final push down the stretch.
A round of 69 also kept Graeme Mcdowell inside the top 20 with the third round drawing to a close late last night.
Justin Rose needs to finish seventh or better to regain the world No.1 spot but a bogey on 13 was followed by a triple bogey on 15 to leave him miles adrift of the leaders on four over par.