Home favourite Rory McIlroy made the most of golf’s ‘moving day’ producing an equal best of the round 66 as he seeks not only a second Irish Open title but a third DP World Tour triumph this season.

The World No. 2  snatched seven birdies, including at the last two holes, and with his only bogey at the par-5 where he found water with his second shot, and this a day after eagling the hole when he spun his second shot back into the cup

McIlroy is in third place at 11-under.

Germany’s Hurly Long birdied his last in a score of 70 to lead the field by a shot at 13-under and with England’s Jordan Smith (72) in second place at 12-under.

And as easily the highest world-ranked in the Irish field by nearly 50 places, McIlroy does not see himself, when asked, if he is a player to bring fear into those around him ahead of the final K. Club round.

McIlroy said: “I don’t think so. I don’t think of myself like that. I certainly don’t see myself as an intimidating character.

“I think the only way that I could have my presence be felt is if I’m actually playing with someone and they’re looking at me hitting the shots  and holing the putts as it maybe affects someone in that way but I don’t think so.

“The thing is, every time I get myself in contention, I don’t feel like I have to play my absolute best to get into contention. But then whenever I am in contention, I’m playing against guys that are playing at their best.

“When you have confidence and you’re planning your best, for any golfer, I don’t think it matters whose names ison the leaderboard.”

If successful, McIlroy will add the 2023 Irish Open title to his 2016 vicgtory, and also at the K. Club, while it will be a third trimph this year, his 17th DP World Tour title win and a 38th pro career success.