Rory McIlroy stays in prime place to problem for a second Amgen Irish Open title after staying inside two strokes of the midway lead on dwelling soil.
The world No 3 adopted an opening-round 68 with a one-under 70 on Friday morning at Royal County Down, carding an eagle, a birdie and two bogeys to move into the weekend on 4 underneath.
McIlroy – the 2016 champion – started on the again 9 and did not take full benefit of surprisingly benign situations, bogeying the par-three 14th for the second day working earlier than rolling in from 27 toes to birdie the par-four subsequent.
The spotlight of McIlroy’s spherical was an eight iron to fifteen toes to arrange an eagle on the par-five first, his tenth gap of the day, however a dropped shot on the par-four fifth and 4 pars to complete his spherical depart him tied-fourth and two behind Matteo Manassero.
“I would have liked to have taken advantage of the easier conditions this morning,” McIlroy admitted. “These first 9 holes, you are not going to see RCD [Royal County Down] enjoying any simpler.
“Then when the sun went it got a little colder and the wind started to come out of a different direction. But it was just a matter of making sure I was here for the weekend and give myself a chance. Sort of job done for the first two days and turn my attention to the weekend.”
Manassero topped the leaderboard by eagling two of the par-fives in his third-round 66, giving the Italian a one-shot benefit over in a single day chief Todd Clements and fellow Englishman Laurie Canter.
Alejandro Del Rey joins McIlroy two strokes again, regardless of racking up a quadruple-bogey on the par-four fifteenth, with Shane Lowry again inside 5 photographs of the lead and hopeful of difficult McIlroy for victory after a second-round 69.
“I know I can go and give it a run,” stated Lowry, who received the title in 2009 whereas nonetheless an novice. “I believe it [a Sunday showdown with McIlroy] is what the match desires and wishes.
“Obviously myself, and Rory is up there. It would be great if the two of us could give it a run on Sunday. You never know. It would be nice to go toe-to-toe on Sunday. We’ll see.
“It is as much as me to get myself there. I am fairly positive he’ll get there anyway.”
Who will win the Amgen Irish Open? Watch throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Saturday from midday on Sky Sports+. Stream the Irish Open, Solheim Cup and extra with NOW.