World No. 1 Rory McIlroy was in a class all his own storming to a four shot lead and breaking his own course record on day three of the Wells Fargo Championship in suburban Charlotte, North Carolina.
McIlroy posted a blistering 11-under 61, his lowest-ever as a pro, and move to 18-under par as he seeks to become the first two-time champion at Quail Hollow.
The four-time Major winner also recorded a new Quail Hollow 54-hole low and also needed just 23 putts to leave his rivals choking in his dust by climbing from three shots behind at the start of his round and take full control of the Wells Fargo championship stage coach reins.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy in a class of his own posting a PGA Tour career low of 61 to lead the Wells Fargo C’ship by four shots. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
McIlroy’s effort bettered his prior PGA Tour best low of 62 on route to victory in the 2010 event and is two shots fewer than five 63s he’s recorded on the European Tour including a course-record 63 on day one of the 2010 Open Championship.
The only disappointed for a frenzied crowd on a very hot Spring afternoon was McIlroy falling short of joining a select six on the PGA Tour to have shot 59.
He said: “When I holed my birdie putt at 13 to get to eight under for the round I was starting to think of shooting 59 and even when I got to 10-under after 15 I knew it was still on if I birdied the last three holes.
“I did manage to birdie 16 but if I could take any shot back today it was that tee shot into 17 that I left some 40-feet short for an eventual par, so that was a little disappointing not to finish it off the way I wanted to but it’s still a great round.
Rory McIlroy all smiles after shooting his lowest-ever score as a professional. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“I did had a chance to shoot my first 59 at the Bears Club just before the Masters this year but I have to be happy with a 61 and really delighted to be sitting here with a four shot lead.”
McIlroy has already won twice this year including last fortnight’s WFC showdown in San Francisco while victory in Charlotte later today would be his 11th PGA Tour success since winning for a first time at Quail Hollow five years ago.
He said: “This is the third of five events in a row for me and it would just feel great getting another win here in the States before flying off to London on Sunday night as it would be my third win of the season.
“I won in Dubai for a second time earlier this year so to win here for a second time would also be very special.
“But with my defence of the BMW PGA at Wentworth next week and then hosting the Irish Open a week later, there is a lot to think about but to be heading home with another win would be great.”
Local Quail Hollow resident and fellow US Open winner Webb Simpson is in second place shooting a 68 to be at 14-under par.
