Finland’s Mikko Ilonen leads by one with Danny Willett second but it’s Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell now looming large for victory in the Irish Open in Cork.
Ilonen, 34 added a two under par third round 69 to move to 12-under par on the Fota Island Resort course.
The triple Tour winner, who has led from the outset, is one shot clear of England’s Danny Willett who eclipsed Ilonen’s own course record by a shot with an eight under par 63 that also included a hole-in-one at the seventh.
Mikko Ilonen warms to the Irish crowd wearing an emerald green shirt to remain in front after three rounds of the Irish Open. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
However just one shot further back on 10-under par is overwhelming crowd favourite Graeme McDowell who birdied two of his closing three holes in a score of 69 as he not only targets a first victory this year but also a maiden Irish Open victory.
“It’s been fun to come here this week after the pressures of last week’s U.S. Open and just let off some steam and relax, and enjoy my golf again and also enjoy the odd pint of Guinness in the evenings,” said McDowell.
“I will now try and give the crowds what they want tomorrow and that’s an Irish winner but then there is a lot of names up on the leader board who will have issues with that.
“Winning the Irish Open is well up my leader board as far as wish lists of golf tournaments I would like to win, and to win would do many things like kick-start my season and boost my Ryder Cup chances.
“But more importantly I have a chance to win here in front of the home fans what with everything good that has gone on this week what with the announcement of the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush and Rory (McIlroy) and his Olympic announcement, and really everything good that is going on with Irish golf with the vibes so good at present.”
Ilonen confessed he wore an emerald coloured green shirt day to try and win over the large Irish crowds and after winning two of three Tour titles in front of his home crowds he’s quietly confident of celebrating his 300th Tour start with victory in Cork.
The Finn could have easily finished two clear when he eagle chip shot at 18 lipped-out leaving a three-footer for his birdie.
“It was fun day out there today even though I didn’t play my best with two bogeys like I had done yesterday,” said Ilonen.
“I decided to wear a green shirt today and the fans were really pleased but then I knew my course record wouldn’t last long and I called that.
“But I feel really comfortable out there and really pleased to birdie 18 and get back the lead and get myself out in the last group tomorrow.”
Willett recorded his second hole-in-one of the year but unlike the Volvo China Open where he won one of the sponsor’s new vehicles there no car on offer.
“It was a perfect number, wind out of the left with an 8-iron, kind of saying go in and not really quite sure but it slam dunked in the hole,” he said.
“It’s also the second time this year I’ve shot 63 and it’s got me right up to win my second European Tour event, so all in all, very pleased.”
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