McIlroy leads going into Irish Open final round

Rory McIlroy’s dream of lifting the Irish Open trophy in his home county remains very much alive after a third-round 69 gave him a one-shot cushion heading into the final day at Royal County Down.

Starting the day two back of Matteo Manassero, McIlroy carded an eagle, two birdies and two bogeys in blustery conditions to establish a narrow lead over the Italian.

Scottish Open champion Robert MacIntyre (69) and four-time DP World Tour winner Rasmus Hojgaard (71) are two of the players in a tie for third, three adrift of McIlroy.

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin carded a 70 to sit six back but Shane Lowry’s challenge faded, the 2019 Open champion falling to two-over with a 74 having started the day with three straight birdies.

But after posting the joint-lowest score on Saturday, McIlroy has put himself in position to claim his first professional win on Northern Irish soil.

“It would be great,” McIlroy said of the prospect of winning.

“I talked about it at the start of the week, after the year that I’ve had and the close misses.

“It wouldn’t make up for all of it, but it would put a nice shine on 2024 for me.”