Rory McIlroy is enjoying the crowd support in Canada and why not after he moved into a share of the third round lead at the RBC Canadian Open.
‘It’s probably the best atmosphere I’ve played in a long time,’ said McIlroy, who put together a pair of 32s on Saturday.
‘I think what they’ve been able to do here is like right on the limit of fun but still in keeping with the traditions of the game, so I think it’s been awesome. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
Erik van Rooyen (68) is one of 12 players within five of the lead, he came home with four birdies in his last seven holes
‘I seem to get pretty good support most places I go, but for whatever reason here I think there are a lot people with Irish roots who seem to be very vocal out there. It’s great to see. I’m really enjoying myself out there.’
He didn’t make a bogey in the third round, the first time he went bogey-free on the PGA TOUR since THE PLAYERS Championship, which he went on to win.
The Northern Irishman missed the cut at the Memorial Championship last week, but said he was actually grateful for the opportunity to work on his game more last weekend, especially as he headed to a golf course he had never played before.
‘I’m much happier than I was Saturday morning last week,’ McIlroy said with a smile, as his 64 was tied for the low round of the day. ‘A week can make a big difference.’
McIlroy got his driver going better last weekend and tightened his wedge game as well. He described those two as things that are ‘definitely needed’ around Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
McIlroy also spoke with Brad Faxon about Hamilton, as Faxon – who works occasionally with McIlroy on putting – lost in a playoff there in 2003.
The fan favourite was 4-for-4 in scrambling on Saturday and was ranked No 1 in both Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and Strokes Gained: Tee to Green.
What was key to the turnaround? He was able to put three P’s into practice again Saturday, a complete round thanks to patience, persistence, and perspective.
This helped him move into a three-way tie at the top with Webb Simpson (67) and Matt Kuchar (69) at 13-under 197.
RBC Canadian Open (par-70):
197 – Webb Simpson 66-64-67, Matt Kuchar 65-63-69, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 67-66-64
198 – Adam Hadwin (CAN) 65-66-67, Shane Lowry (IRL) 64-68-66, Brandt Snedeker 69-60-69
200 – Henrik Stenson (SWE) 66-66-68
201 – Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 66-66-69
202 – Nick Taylor (CAN) 64-65-73, Erik Van Rooyen (RSA) 64-70-68, Jonathan Byrd 67-71-64, Graeme McDowell (NIR) 65-67-70
203 – Scott Brown 65-63-75, Jim Furyk 69-67-67, Peter Malnati 66-68-69, Danny Willett (ENG) 66-68-69
204 – Benjamin Silverman (CAN) 71-61-72, Jos de Jess Rodrguez (MEX) 67-66-71, Danny Lee (NZL) 65-72-67, Jonas Blixt (SWE) 67-67-70, Dustin Johnson 71-65-68, Harris English 66-69-69, Justin Thomas 70-65-69, Roberto Castro 64-71-69
