At home, Rory McIlroy took power on this moving day. Well launched thanks to an eagle validated from hole number 1, thanks to an excellent attack on the green, the Northern Irishman then conceded a bogey on 5. A mistake easily paid off, in 7. Then the Race to Dubai leader tied the pars before adding a touch of red to his card in 13, despite a shot sent down the fairway. Author of a final bogey on 18, the world number 3 returned a solid 69. He is the only player to have bogeyed the course three times in three days. This regularity allowed him to lead alone after 54 holes (-6 overall).
At the helm after the cut, Matteo Manassero had a more complicated day, like most of the field, especially because of the wind that swept the Royal County Down GC this Saturday (there were only twelve of them under the total at the end of this third phase). The Italian put up a good fight but scored a 72 (three birdies, four bogeys) and is now ranked 2nd (-5 total). The third step of the podium (-3) was occupied by a quartet. We will see there Erik Van Rooyen, Rasmus Hojgaard, Jordan Smith and Robert MacIntyre. The Scot also recorded a superb score of 69 (four birdies, two bogeys).
The French were trapped in the air
Laurie Canter, Calum Hill, Aaron Cockerill and Adrian Otaegui shared 8th position (-2). Not far from this top 10, Adrien Saddier is ranked 21st (+1 total). This Saturday, the Frenchman limited the damage even though he had to settle for a round of 73 (four birdies, six bogeys). Other Blues still in the running had a more difficult day in action, such as Frédéric Lacroix who finished the course in 78 shots (four bogeys, a triple in 8).
Antoine Rozner posted a heavy 77 (two birdies, four bogeys, two doubles) and fell to 53rd place (+6 total). Same card for Jeong weon Ko (two birdies, three bogeys, one double, one triple) who is in 61st place (+ 8), together with his compatriot Julien Guerrier. Just as difficult, the 39-year-old achieved a score of 79 (three birdies, nine bogeys, one double).