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

The last time Royal County Down hosted the Amgen 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 with a one-shot lead over Matteo Manassero in pursuit of what would be his first professional win on Northern Irish soil.

“It would be amazing,” McIlroy said after a third round of 69 played in testing conditions, with winds gusting up to 35mph.

A third round 69 to take a one-shot lead into the final round ✍️#AmgenIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/KzjRDlmAlj

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 14, 2024

“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.”

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.

Rory eagles the first hole to tie the lead