Rory McIlroy Four Shots Adrift at Irish Open as Adrien Saddier Leads
Rory McIlroy carded a bogey-free 68 in the third round of the Irish Open at the K Club, ending four shots behind leader Adrien Saddier.
Third Round Standings
- 15 under: Adrien Saddier (FRA)
- 14 under: Angel Hidalgo (ESP)
- 12 under: Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (ESP)
- 11 under: Rory McIlroy (NIR), Joakim Lagergren (SWE)
Rory McIlroy remained in contention at the Irish Open after a flawless 68 in the third round at the K Club left him four shots behind leader Adrien Saddier. The world number two recorded four birdies and no bogeys as he chases his first win since April's Masters.
Saddier matched McIlroy’s score with seven birdies and three bogeys to stay atop the leaderboard at 15 under par. Second-placed Angel Hidalgo surged into contention with a brilliant nine-under 63, featuring 12 birdies despite a double bogey on the 16th hole.
Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia fired a 67 to sit three strokes off the lead, while overnight leader Joakim Lagergren slipped back after a 73. McIlroy expressed frustration at not gaining more ground, although he praised his short game for keeping his card clean in tricky, gusty conditions.
Challenges on the Course
McIlroy made early progress with birdies on the fourth and fifth holes but had to wait until a 40-foot putt on the 14th for his next birdie. "The wind caught me out a couple of times," he admitted, noting the soft greens made club selection difficult in the variable breeze.
Hidalgo’s Hot Streak
Angel Hidalgo rattled off seven consecutive birdies from the second hole before a bogey on nine. After a double bogey on 16, he steadied himself with a par on 17 and closed with a birdie, saying, "I felt like I was playing PlayStation—every shot was aimed straight at the pin."
Adrien Saddier leads by one as McIlroy sits four shots back, keeping his bid for a second Irish Open title alive heading into the final round.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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