It’s not only the golf world in general continuing to be amazed by the efforts of Rory McIlroy but also his Irish playing colleagues.
While McIlroy strides closer to a $10m FedEx Series victory delivery Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie continue to parcel together a hopeful winning score in the centenary KLM Open.
England’s Graeme Storm (66) heads into the third round of the Dutch event leading by three shots on 11-under par.
Peter Lawrie says he always knew Rory McIlroy was a superstar in the making. (Photo – www.golfsupport/golffile.ie)
McGrane, who aced the par three third hole during practice, birdied four of his outward holes in a round of 67 to move to five under par on the Hilversum course.
One behind at three under par is Lawrie who capped a second round by holing his second shot, a 7-iron from 172 yards out, for an eagle at the par four, seventh hole.
And while McGrane and Lawrie may have contrasting goals as the season draws closer to conclusion they continue to share a common growing opinion of McIlroy.
“It’s just unbelievable what Rory has accomplished this year and I always said when he first came out here, Rory was a superstar in the making and he continues to prove that,” said Lawrie ahead of the third day.
“He’s just taken over from Tiger (Woods) big time and the way he plays the game is like how Tiger used to play, and it’s just amazing as Rory’s still only 23.
“What I like about Rory also, and this will please all those younger persons now playing golf, is that he plays the game fast and the young kids will learn that aspect of the game.
“At the professional level golf is still too slow and it really takes too long to play, and Rory is not slow. He’s not methodical and he just stands up and belts it.
“And with the Ryder Cup coming up I can see Ollie (Jose Maria Olazabal) marking him down to play every session and why wouldn’t he play six matches?
“Rory’s just got so much youthful exuberance and you can be assured Jose Marie will be drawing on that.
“I know what I will be doing that week as I will be glued to TV coverage of the Ryder Cup.”
McGrane said: “Rory just continues to prove us all wrong all the time and it’s just fantastic what he’s achieving in this game.
“He’s just from strength to strength and I’ll be watching the Ryder Cup with much interest.”
Both Lawrie and McGrane are chasing a second Tour victory after breaking through for a first win, and just weeks apart in 2008.
Lawrie’s pair of 69s is the first time in eight week’s he’s broken 70 but then he’s contested two events and played six rounds in that time.
“It’s nice to finally break 70 for a first time in two months and that’s only down to playing just the two events since the Scottish Open, Gleneagles and Switzerland last week,” said Lawrie.
“But it’s just great to play an old style like this Harry Colt designed layout.”
