‘Rors’ Roars To A Four-Shot Lead – One Round Away From A Green Jacket

13 years ago by Comments Off on ‘Rors’ Roars To A Four-Shot Lead – One Round Away From A Green Jacket

Rory McIlroy strolls to a 4-shot lead (Pic - Courtesy of PGA Tour)

Rory McIlroy roared on day three of the Masters to take a four-shot lead into the final round.

McIlroy is just one round away from becoming the first Irishman in 44 years and the first European in a dozen years to win at Augusta National.

As well, the 21-year old Holywood golfing starlet is set to to become the second youngest golfer behing Tiger Woods to be fitted for the famed green jacket.

McIlroy posted a third round 70 and a 12-under par total and finish four clear of four players.

They include – Australia’s Jason Day (72), South African Charl Schwartzel (68), Korean K J Choi (71) and 2009 Masters winner Angel Cabrera (67) – at eight under par.

The Augusta green jacket awaits McIlroy

Four times Masters winning Woods bogeyed his first and last holes in a 74 to drop to a share of ninth place at five under par and seven behind McIlroy.

And Woods, who is chasing a 15th Major title, has never won a Major coming from behind.

As well, 19 of the past 20 Augusta winners have come from the last group pairing with the only exception being Zach Johnson in 2007.

McIlroy duelled with Day for a third day before birding three of his closing six holes, as well as draining a timely 33-foot monster putt for par at 17.

“It feels good and it’s a great position to be in,” he said. 

“I stayed really patient out there today.  I was really, really happy with the way I stuck to my game plan and it paid off in the end.
 
“I’ve been saying it all week, I feel comfortable, comfortable with my game, comfortable with the way I’ve prepared, and all of a sudden I’m finally feeling comfortable on this golf course. 

“A combination like that, you know, you’re going to feel pretty good and post some good numbers.”

Rory McIlroy set to end a 44-year Irish drought and win the Masters.

And out following his good friend was reigning U.S. Open champion, Graeme McDowell.

“G Mac was in the crowd today which was great, and he’s just sent me a text saying ‘He loves me!” said McIlroy laughing.

“I dont’t know what it means and maybe it’s the beer talking.”

McIlroy will play the final round in the company of Cabrera and with ISM manager, ‘Chubby’ Chandler saying McIlroy if McIlroy should win he will honour a commitment to contest next week’s Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

Bernie McGuire at Augusta National.



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