World No. 1 Rory McIlroy muscled his way towards a fifth success this season with a blistering 64 on day three of the Deutsche Bank Championship near Boston.
McIlroy didn’t drop a shot to race to a share of the clubhouse lead with playing partner Chris Kirk at 10-under par with the American shooting the same score in the second of four FedEx Cup Play-Off events.
The third round of the $8m event ended with American Russell Henley posting a 65 to move to 12-under par and just one clear of compatriot Billy Herschel (67) and with McIlroy and Kirk plus Jason Day (69) at 10-under par.
The four-time Major winner captured Europe’s flagship event in May and then won three in succession that included a first Open Championship, a first WGC title and a second PGA Championship.
And McIlroy clearly squashed any fears of burn out ahead of the Ryder Cup, now 26 days away, as he is set to also add a second Deutsche Bank Championship title after lifting the silver trophy two years ago.
“It helped a lot with Chris playing so well, so we seemed to feed off each other a lot today and it seemed that every time he’d post a birdie so did I,” he said.
“But then to shoot a 64 is no surprise as I shot a second round 65 around Ridgewood last week but it’s just that was after a 75.
“So a round like today is still in there and depending now of what Jason (Day) does hopefully I won’t be that far behind.”
Rory McIlroy conjures up a 64 on day three of the Deutsche Bank Championship. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
And McIlroy clearly squashed any fears of burn out ahead of the Ryder Cup that is now 26 days away as he also set about capturing a second Deutsche Bank Championship title after lifting the silver trophy two years ago.
“It helped a lot with Chris playing so well, so we seemed to feed off each other a lot today and it seemed that every time he’d post a birdie so did I,” he said.
“But then to shoot a 64 is no surprise as I shot a second round 65 around Ridgewood last week but it’s just that was after a 75.
“So a round like today is still in there and depending now of what Jason (Day) does hopefully I won’t be that far behind.”
However hopeful Gleneagles ‘wildcard’ picks Ian Poulter and Luke Donald again failed to impress.
Poulter posted a 71 to be sharing 37th spot at two under par and Donald carded a second straight 74 and tumble to tie for 67th at four over par.
Callaway’s Chris Kirk matches Rory McIlroy’s 64 to also be in third place and now finds himself again paired with McIlroy on the final day of the Deutsche Bank Championship. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
