Rory McIlroy birdied his final two holes to maneuver into rivalry for a second Irish Open title as many of the gamers in entrance of him faltered within the third spherical on Saturday.

McIlroy completed off a 6-under 66 with a brief birdie putt on the 18th to push into third place, two photographs behind chief Hurly Long of Germany.

That’s a greater spot than he had anticipated, on condition that he began the day eight photographs off the lead.

“I felt like I maybe needed to go a couple lower to get myself right in it,” 2016 winner McIlroy stated whereas greater than a dozen gamers have been nonetheless on the course. “But the guys at the top haven’t really went away from the field that much today.”

And they didn’t get something happening the again 9 at The Okay Club, both.

Long wanted a birdie on the final gap to revive a two-shot benefit over McIlroy after a 70 gave him a 13-under complete of 203. Jordan Smith, who held a share of the in a single day lead with Shubhankar Sharma, then additionally birdied the par-5 18th to maneuver into second place, one shot behind Long.

Long has by no means gained a European tour occasion and is ranked 252nd on the earth, so McIlroy may like his probabilities taking part in in entrance of a house crowd that can probably be boisterous all through the ultimate spherical.

But Long, whose greatest end this yr is a tie for thirtieth, stated he gained’t be intimidated.

“Last year at The Belfry I was leading after two rounds, and there were ginormous crowds out there as well,” Long stated. “So I can take something from that. I’ve got a good attitude. I know it’s going to be way more difficult tomorrow than it was even today but you can feed off that just as well.”

McIlroy had his solely blip on the par-5 sixteenth, the place he rescued a bogey after discovering water. But he responded with the 2 birdies.

“Last night I thought I was maybe a little bit too far behind and out of it, but I played a really good round of golf today to get myself back in it,” McIlroy stated.

Sharma struggled all through the day and completed with a 75 that included a double bogey and three bogeys to go along with two birdies.

Shane Lowry, who was born about 45 minutes away in Clara, was 5 photographs again in a tie for thirteenth after a 72. While Lowry should have an out of doors probability, he’s not anticipating it to be straightforward to chase down Ryder Cup teammate McIlroy.

“He’s going to be the man to beat tomorrow,” Lowry stated.