Rory McIlroy’s bid to end the season on a high got a boost today as he shot a third round 66 in Boston.
The tournament customarily begins on a Friday, so McIlroy will have 18 holes on Monday to challenge the leaders. Coming into the event, the Ulsterman had taken the previous week off, missing the Northern Trust – the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
His start to the week was subdued, posting a 71. The second round was much better, with McIlroy shooting a 67 to go to four under for the event.
He trailed leader Webb Simpson by seven shots heading into today, but seven birdies later the four-time major winner is currently just three shots off the lead.
Four birdies in his first seven holes were offset by a dropped shot on the fifth. A drive into the fairway bunker meant that his approach could only get to within 40 yards of the pin, leaving a difficult and ultimately unsuccessful up-and-down attempt.
Things got better around the turn for the 29-year-old, as he gained strokes on both nine and ten.
That trajectory. 😍@McIlroyRory is now T4.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/oeEFWS1IFA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 2, 2018
Here comes @RoryMcIlroy.
Back-to-back birdies. 🔥#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/sPbkJ3Qojm
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 2, 2018
A birdie on 13 after a remarkable approach during his early round temporarily propelled the two time winner of this event to the top of the leaderboard after Webb Simpson’s poor start.
Pin seeking all day.@RoryMcIlroy is in total control.#LiveUnderPar 🎯 pic.twitter.com/IOg1WFggqk
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 2, 2018
Unfortunately, he found water by quite a distance on the par three 16th hole. While he made the up-and-down from the drop zone, it was a second bogey.
Nonetheless, it’s a -9 total after 54 holes for Rory, whose place in Team Europe for the Ryder Cup was confirmed. He’s currently tied for 8th, three shots behind last week’s winner, Bryson DeChambeau.
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