Rory McIlroy takes one-shot lead into final round of Irish Open

The last time Royal County Down hosted the Irish Open in 2015, tournament host Rory McIlroy missed the cut with rounds of 80 and 71.

Nine years later, the world number three will head into Sunday's final round of the Amgen-sponsored event with a one-shot lead over Matteo Manassero in pursuit of what would be his first professional win in the North.

"It would be amazing," McIlroy said after a third round of 69 played in testing conditions, with winds gusting up to 55kmph.

"The last couple of times I’ve played in Northern Ireland it hasn’t really panned out the way I wanted, so to play a good three days here and be in the final group and give myself a chance tomorrow, I’m excited for the opportunity.

"After the sort of year that I’ve had and the close misses it wouldn’t make up for all of it, but it would go a long way in putting a nice shine on 2024 for me.

"I can't get that far ahead of myself, I need to go out and play another very solid round tomorrow to try to get the job done but I’m pleased with how the first three days have gone."

The fans in County Down didn't have to wait long for some Rory McIlroy magic in round three as he opens with an eagle after this stunning approach.

Live now on RTÉ2/RTÉ Player. pic.twitter.com/urKCIfNr4N

With the opening three holes playing straight downwind, McIlroy’s eagle on the par-five first was the 10th of the day – his compatriot Tom McKibbin was inches away from an albatross – and, after dropping a shot on the fifth, the four-time major winner birdied the seventh to move into the outright lead.

Another birdie on the 13th looked set to help McIlroy establish a more sizeable lead, but a bogey on the last meant he had to settle for the joint-lowest score of the day and a 54-hole total of six