Rory McIlroy tee time on day three at Irish Open as world number three surges into contention

The Holywood man shot a super round of 66 on day two to move into a tie for third, some five shots behind leader Joakim Lagergren

The home fans will be out in force on moving day at the Irish Open as Rory McIlroy looks to make it two wins in the competition at the K Club in Kildare. The Holywood man shot a super round of 66 on day two to move into a tie for third, some five shots behind leader Joakim Lagergren.

World number two McIlroy, who won the event when it was held at the same venue in 2016, had six birdies on a blemish-free card, though the last was almost an albatross as his approach to the par-five 18th pitched two feet short of the hole before spinning back to leave an eight-foot eagle putt which he missed.

McIlroy said: “I couldn’t believe how far it came back. It looked like I nearly flew it into the hole. Overall, I’m really pleased with the day’s work and it keeps me within touching distance going into the weekend. Obviously the two boys are a little bit ahead of the rest of the pack, but I feel like I’m close enough, if I do have a good weekend, to chase them down.”

McIlroy was joined in third by first-round co-leader Thorbjorn Olesen, New Zealander Daniel Hillier and Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton was in a large group a shot further back on six under, with Ireland’s Shane Lowry four under after also narrowly missing out on a closing eagle.

Day three tee times

McIlroy is in the third group from last, starting out at 12.50pm alongside Garcia-Heredia.

Hatton is out at 12.40 with Pulkkanen.. Tom McKibbin is out at 11.45am with another Spaniard, Rafa Cabrera Bello. Shane Lowry starts at 10.55am with Davis Bryant, both men starting on a huge group on four under par.