Versailles, France … Rory McIlroy served-up a 40-30 bizarre third round in the 100th French Open in Versailles.
Little wonder McIlroy likened his day’s effort akin to a Wimbledon scoreline and in contrast what you would expect from the World No. 4 ranked golfer.
Over his outward third round nine holes McIlroy looked like he’d be lucky to win the monthly medal starting out with a first hole double bogey and then dropping three shots and with just one birdie in a four-over par 40.
But then in a sharp turnaround McIlroy showed all the talent of a four-time Major winner storming home in a five under par 30 for a round of 70 and the end the day tied in second place on six under par.
Rory McIlroy shoots 40-30 day three French Open. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee posted a three under par 68 to move two shots clear of the Le National club field on eight under par.
McIlroy shares second Korean Jeunghun Wang (70) and no stranger to victory having won back-to-back earlier this year on the Race to Dubai tour.
However, all interest focused on McIlroy with the French crowd creating their own version of ‘McIlroy Mania’ as he gamely fought to dig himself out of a front nine trench.
And when asked if the 28-year could recall two contrasting nines he was as just unsure as what a bemused French crowd has seen unfold.
He said: “I’m sure it’s happened before. In all honesty, it’s probably happened this year. It’s sort of been the nature of my game.
“There’s been, the good’s been very good and the bad’s been not so good.
“We’re not at Wimbledon here, 40-30 and at least it’s not deuce.
“So I just couldn’t get anything going on the front nine, and I think it just shows with what I’m working on when it started to go bad, it was very hard to get out of it.
“But when it started to go good, you get confidence and you go from there. Just two different ends of the spectrum.
“So I’m now just two behind and clearly every tournament you come to, you want to win. I wasn’t quite sure how I would perform this week considering all the stuff I’m trying to work on but at the same time, I’m giving myself a great chance.
“I was eight behind the lead at one point today and to be only two back, I think going into tomorrow, it’s nice.”
