Rory McIlroy shot a third-round 69 to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.
Royal County Down last hosted the Amgen Irish Open in 2015, when tournament host Rory McIlroy missed the cut with rounds of 80 and 71.
Nine years later, the world number three will be looking to defeat Matteo Manassero in Sunday's final for his first professional win in Northern Ireland.
With the first three holes downwind, McIlroy made eagle on the par-5 first hole, the 10th of the day, while compatriot Tom McKibbin was inches away from an albatross. After losing a stroke on the fifth hole, the four-time major champion birdied the seventh to take the lead.
Another birdie on the 13th looked like it would help McIlroy build a bigger lead, but a bogey on the final hole meant he had to settle for the lowest score of the day and a 54-hole total of six under.
Overnight leader Manassero, who won his first DP World Tour title in more than a decade in South Africa in March, battled through a third-round 72 to finish five under, with Robert MacIntyre, Jordan Smith, Eric van Rooyen and Rasmus Hojgaard all at three under.
Overnight leader Matteo Manassero is one shot behind the lead after a third-round 72.
MacIntyre was four over after seven holes of his second round but played the remaining 11 holes to five under and was pleased to match McIlroy's 69 on Saturday.
A win tomorrow would make McIntyre the first player to win the Scottish Open and Irish Open in the same season.
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McIlroy 'in a good position' to win first title in Northern Ireland
McIlroy was pleased with his third-round 69, played in tough conditions with winds gusting to 35 mph.
“I definitely calculated my scores before I went out today,” he said. “I started off really well, three-under one, and then it was just a matter of hitting as many pars as possible.”
“If you get a birdie here or there, it’s a bonus, but I think shooting 60-plus in those conditions today is a very good score and it puts me in a good position for tomorrow.
McIlroy shot a 69 in the third round to move ahead of overnight leader Matteo Manassero
“The last few times I’ve played in Northern Ireland the results haven’t gone my way, so to be able to play well over three days here, get into the final group and give myself a chance to play tomorrow, I’m excited to have that opportunity.
“After a year like this and the close calls, it won’t make up for all the disappointments, but it will help me to do well in 2024.
“I can’t push myself too hard and I need to play another solid round tomorrow to finish the job, but I’m happy with how I’ve played over the first three days.”
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