Rory McIlroy takes charge at the K Club

Rory McIlroy soared to nine under through 15 holes to take a three shot lead over Danny Willett

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Rory

European Tour Release

May 22, 2016: Rory McIlroy ended a long day at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation with a three-shot lead, having reached nine under par through 15 holes of his third round.

Despite two suspensions due to the threat of lightning and heavy downpours at The K Club, the tournament host kept the bogeys off his card – and was the only player to do so – before fast fading light led to play eventually being abandoned at 8.29pm.

The World Number Three will return to the 16th tee at 7.30am on Sunday morning to complete his third round, as will overnight leader Danny Willett, who dropped back to six under par after mixing three bogeys with one birdie in his 15 holes.

“I think they made the right call. It was getting dark out there. I struggled to read my putt on 15 and wasn’t really comfortable to hit the tee shot on 16. We can get back out there in the morning, I’ve got two par fives on the last three holes to try and get another couple birdies” – said world champion Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy has never won his national Open, but will be the firm favourite to break his drought after a superbly controlled performance in truly testing conditions.

The Ulsterman birdied the par five fourth hole for the third day in succession and, after the first suspension in play, rolled in his second birdie putt of the day at the tenth to establish a lead which he never looked like relinquishing.

Willett, playing his first tournament in Europe since winning the Masters, struggled for much of the round, but will hope to regain his rhythm on the final day in Co. Kildare.

“It was a long day. It was tricky out there, stopping and starting. Hopefully we can get some good weather tomorrow and everyone can get done. It’s tough to kind of get your mindset, sitting around in between, you get a bit tired and it’s obviously not the warmest place in the world” – Said Danny Willett

A round of 70 moved Scotsman Russell Knox to five under par alongside South African Richard Sterne, who has three holes left to play.
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Tyrrell Hatton, who has two holes left of his third round, is currently in fifth place on four under par.

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