Triple bogey puts paid to Rory’s surge
WHATEVER he does today, Rory McIlroy will depart the 149th Open Championship with mixed memories of a semi-super Saturday that went from terrific to tawdry.
Three days short of the seventh anniversary of the third of his four major triumphs, at Hoylake on July 20, 2014, McIlroy turned back the clock to remind fans of his glory days. They, in turn, responded with the loudest roars of the week as their hero showed 32,000 spectators at Royal St George’s that he is far from being a spent force at 32.
The comeback did not last beyond the ninth hole as his dazzling panache and sparkle faded.
A majestic front nine containing four birdies and a single bogey enabled him to turn in 31 blows on four-under-par. It served as a partial reminder of why he has spent in excess of 100 weeks of his career in the No 1 spot in world golf.
Not even the presence of a hare scurrying across the fourth fairway deterred him from subsequently draining a near 30-foot putt for his second birdie of the day.
McIlroy had begun the third round level following back-to-back 70s with his race seemingly run. But an opening birdie galvanised him and, with crowds keen to lend their full backing to his bid to mount a spectacular comeback, he was off and running.
Having reduced the leeway on halfway leader Louis Oosthuizen to seven shots with nine holes to play, there appeared to be a slim chance that McIlroy might yet emerge as a contender.
He had the bit back between his teeth and was clearly of a mind to take a chunk out of the South African’s lead. But after safely negotiating the 10th, the rot set in at the next when he missed a ‘tiddler’ from about 18 inches and his golf was never the same after that.
Following a third bogey at 13, McIlroy threw his club in disgust when he sent his tee shot at the next left into the rough. He escaped with a par but was clearly rattled and a third dropped shot in five holes put paid to any hopes of a surge today.
He said: ‘It was sort of a tale of two nines. But it felt like a better round than one under and there are signs my game is getting there.’
Defending champion Shane Lowry has not given up hope of retaining the Claret Jug but he accepts it will take something remarkable to extend his hold on the trophy for a third year.
The Irishman won at Royal Portrush in 2019 and has enjoyed 24 months as the holder due to last year’s postponement.
At five under, he will have to have a big final round and hope the leaders give shots back but he is not prepared to concede defeat yet.
‘I probably should be closer to the leaders than I am but I played great: tee to green I was as good as I’ve been all year,’ he said.
‘I’m disappointed because I feel like I’m probably too far back — five under is a little far back, but it’s not that far back I suppose. I’ve enjoyed that Claret Jug for the last two years, and I’d dearly love to have it again.’
Even if retaining his title is probably beyond him Lowry still has a lot to play for with FedEx Cup and Ryder Cup points at stake.
‘There’s a lot on the line,’ he added. ‘I’ve got an Open Championship here to try and get my name in the mix on the back nine tomorrow afternoon and I’d love to go out and shoot a good score and kind of cement my place on the (Ryder Cup) team.’