Rory McIlroy produced his lowest European Tour score in well over two years with a sizzling six-under par 64 on day three of the British Masters at Close House in Newcastle, England.
McIlroy, who was among the early third round starters, didn’t drop a shot in managing six birdies to move to a share of the clubhouse lead on 10-under par in the Stg 3m ($US 4.02m) event.
McIlroy joined Sweden’s and fellow PGA Tour based David Lingmerth after Lingmerth produced the lowest round of the week, an eight-under par 62.
But as McIlroy and Lingmerth enjoyed lunch overnight leader Tyrrell Hatton was struggling early in his round.
McIlroy did shoot a closing 64 in June’s PGA Tour Travelers Championship in Connecticut however his British Masters effort is a lowest European Tour round since a second round 64 on day two and on route to victory in the 2015 Dubai Desert Classic.
Rory McIlroy gets his best look at victory this season thanks a third round 64 at the British Masters. (Photo – European Tour/Gettys)
And in the process McIlroy has also boosted hopes of McIlroy winning for a first time this season and in what is his penultimate event of the year.
“I felt today I got the most our of my round as I scrambled well when I needed to,” he said.
“Some of these three or four footers that you leave yourself are pretty tricky as the greens are soft along with some heel prints and stuff, so I was just trying to make a committed stroke asI could and thankfully they did for me today.
“So, it was nice as I gave myself plenty of chances and it is always nice to be bogey-free, as well.”
After a no-frills opening two days McIlroy finally gave a huge crowd following the World No. 6 really something to cheer about including chipping-in from pin high and left of the green at the par three, fifth hole.
Then for a third day running McIlroy birdied the par five sixth hole ahead of birding the ninth and 13th holes for a second occasion in three days.
McIlroy then moved to 10-under for the event holing a five-footer from behind the flag at the par three, 17th.
“The crowds out there were brilliant today with a lot of people out there, so it was nice to have that support,” said McIlroy.
“It was also nice to hit shots like that chip-in on five in front of them and give a nice reaction but it has been great all week including a huge number on the tee when I teed-off on Thursday.
“I was a little bit more aggressive today and the course allows that today with the tee moved-up on nine and you can reach the green on 17 while there are two reachable in two par fives.
“And it is so soft out there and if you are going to hit good shots you are going to be rewarded with a lot of birdie chances.
“I expect to be a few behind at the end of the day ahead of tomorrow but it was nice to hit a good score.”
And the duo of Scotland’s Marc Warren and Thailand’s popular Kiradech Aphibarnrat moved to a share of eight-under with respective rounds of 65 and 66.
Warren was second a week ago in the Portugal Masters.
