Closing in on top spot
Mcilroy seizes Honda Classic lead, victory will earn him World No.1 ranking
Rory Mcilroy moved within one round of seizing golf’s number one world ranking on Saturday as he claimed a two-shot lead at the US PGA Tour’s Honda Classic.
The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland, who can supplant England’s Luke Donald atop the rankings with a victory, capped a four-under 66 on the par-70 PGA National course with a birdie from a bunker at the par-five 18th and had a 54-hole total of 11under 199.
He was two strokes in front of Americans Harris English and Tom Gillis, with reigning PGA Champion Keegan Bradley, England’s Justin Rose and Brian Harman a further shot back.
Mcilroy joined Gillis atop the leader board on 10-under with a birdie at the par-three 15th, where he landed his approach five feet from the pin.
Gillis then bogeyed 15, leaving Mcilroy alone at the top.
US Open champion Mcilroy then extended his lead with his closing birdie.
Mciiroy also made two important pars, nearly holing out from a bunker on 13 and sinking a tricky eight footer at 14.
“They were two crucial holes today,” he said.
Gillis posted a 69 and English, a 22-year-old rookie, posted a 66 to join him on 201.
Bradley carded a 68 and Rose a 71 for 203, while Harman followed up his second-round 61 with a 69.
Former world number one Tiger Woods carded a one-under 69 and was nine off the pace.
It’s the second straight week Mciiroy has had a chance to reach the top of the rankings. He could have done it last week at the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship but fell in the final to Hunter Mahan.
“It’s nice to have the lead going into tomorrow,” he said. “I have to try to focus on what I’ve been trying to do all week, which is hit fairways and hit greens and stay in the present, and not think about everything that could happen.
“I’ve just got to go out there and try to put a good number on the board.”
Those poised to challenge Mciiroy don’t include Woods. The 14-time major champion had the satisfaction of seeing a few putts drop at last, but not enough to mount a charge.
He made the last of his three birdies of the day at the seventh, and had two bogeys.
At 22, English is the same age as Mcilroy but less familiar with the big stage. He won on the Nationwide developmental tour last year while still an amateur and stayed close on Saturday with a 10-footer to save par at 17.
Gillis is a 43-year-old who has been a pro almost as long as Mcilroy and English have been alive.
“Hopefully, they don’t walk too fast and I can catch up to them,” Gillis quipped of playing with Mcilroy and English in the final group on Sunday, when tee times have been moved up in an effort to avoid potential inclement weather.
English, who cruised through qualifying school and hasn’t missed a cut so far in his rookie season, said he was looking forward to playing with golf’s hottest young star.
“Rory is awesome,” English said. “I haven’t had a chance to meet him yet, but I’ve definitely watched him play the last couple of years. He’s got a great game. I think he’s the best player in the world right now, hands down, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. He’s very impressive.”