McIlroy well on course for first Claret Jug
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For most of the afternoon Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler resembled a couple of young gunslingers slugging it out not at the OK Corral but Royal Liverpool GC.
It was a classic duel though not this time in the sun but in overcast, soft, showery and windless conditions – perfect for bags of birdies. Fowler, spearheading the challenge from the other side of the Atlantic, looked destined to come out on top for long periods, specially following his birdie barrage around the turn.
Four shots adrift of McIlroy at the start of play, the young American suddenly found himself sharing top spot with his Northern Ireland rival on the 14th tee. But things can change pretty rapidly in The Open and Fowler went to the final hole trailing McIlroy by six shots.
It was as if McIlroy had decided it was time to step on the gas and he certainly accelerated into overdrive to leave his rivals, including Fowler, standing in a puff of smoke. A 35ft putt for birdie at the 14th put McIlroy back in control at -13 and better was to come when he eagled the 16th to power into a five shot lead, celebrating sinking the 30ft putt with a slow contented first pump.
OK, a couple of late duffed chips briefly halted his momentum but Rors was not done yet and finished in blistering style with another eagle at the par-5 18th. Job done and at -16 he’ll take an awful lot of beating and something extraordinary needs to happen to prevent him from adding his first Claret Jug to the US Open and US PGA he has already won.
But McIlroy says it’s not in the bag yet. “That’s not how I see it,” he said. “I won from seven shots back at Wentworth earlier in the year so anything can happen. But if I can play solidly like I’ve done he last three days, hopefully that will be enough.
“My game plan all week has been to take care of the par-5s and I’ve been able to do that.” He sure has – he’s -11 on them so far.
It’s got to be said the benign conditions – thankfully no thunderstorms and interruptions – were spot-on for McIlroy who eventually took full advantage. He was also helped by the huge galleries who loudly cheered him every step and shot of the way. Clearly he didn’t want to disappoint the Hoylake hordes and he definitely didn’t.
Surely McIlroy can’t throw the six shot lead he has over fellow sharpshooter Fowler (-10) who incredibly had eight birdies in a rollercoaster round of 68? It’s seriously doubtful and unlikely but, as I say, in Open golf – especially on the final day – anything is possible and can happen.
But deep down even Fowler and Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson (both -9) know they need a miracle and will be playing for second spot.
