NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland — Rory McIlroy delivered enough superb shots in a strong wind Saturday for a 2-under 69, giving him a one-shot lead over Matteo Manassero in the Irish Open as McIlroy tries to erase two bad memories on home soil.
McIlroy had to settle for bogey on the par-5 closing hole at Royal County Down when he hit a half-shank from the rough for his third shot.
Even so, the wind was so severe that he matched the low score of the third round. Only three other players shot 69, and four others broke par.
Manassero, who started the day with a one-shot lead, did his best to hold on. He dropped only one shot over the last 10 holes, on the 17th when he pulled his tee shot into high grass and could only chop back to the fairway.
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