Home favourite McIlroy takes lead at the Irish Open

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Home favourite McIlroy takes lead at the Irish Open

Rory McIlroy has survived a trial by high winds to record a two-under par 69 that gives him a one-shot lead over Matteo Manassero going into the final round at the Irish Open.

McIlroy had to settle for bogey on the par-five closing ***** at Royal County Down on Saturday 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, with only three other players ********* 69s, and four others breaking par.

Italian 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. He two-putted from 50 feet to escape with bogey.

McIlroy was at six-under 207 as he goes for his second Irish Open title.

He has yet to win in Northern Ireland, and it has not gone well for him previously.

He opened with an 80 when the Irish Open was last held at Royal County Down in 2015.

And at the British Open five years ago at Royal Portrush, he opened with a 79. Both times he missed the cut.

“I’m excited to give myself a chance,” McIlroy said. “The last couple of times I’ve played in Northern Ireland it hasn’t panned out the way I wanted. I can’t get too far ahead of myself, but I’m excited to go out there and give it my all.”

Robert MacIntyre was in a four-way tie for third after a 69, leaving the Scot in the mix to add a third national title to his credit this year. MacIntyre previously won the ********* Open in June and the Scottish Open in July.

Jordan Smith (69), Erik van Rooyen (71) and Rasmus Hojgaard (71) also were at three-under.

The only *********** to make it to the weekend, Jason Scrivener, moved in the wrong direction, recording a six-over 77 to lie in ******-58th position.

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