Rory McIlroy shoots stunning 61 for Quail Hollow lead

Sport360 staff 08:42 17/05/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Rory McIlroy further underlined his status as the best golfer in the world with a stunning 61.

    World number one Rory McIlroy fired an electrifying 11-under par 61 in Saturday’s third round to vault into a four-shot lead at the US PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship.

    The 26-year-old from Northern Ireland had 11 birdies with no bogeys to break his own Quail Hollow course record of 62.

    – Different Strokes: Rickie Fowler proves doubters wrong to win Players 
    – Joy of Golf: Fowler can build on ability to excite after Players triumph
    – 
    INTERVIEW: Amy Boulden winning in style on and off the golf course

    McIlroy’s effort gave him an 18-under total of 198 and a four-shot lead over American Webb Simpson who shot a 68 and was alone at a 14-under 202.

    McIlroy’s hopes of reaching golf’s magical number of 59 ended with pars at 17 and 18.

    But the finish didn’t mar a spectacular round that included streaks of four birdies in a row from the seventh through 10th holes and five birdies on the trot from the 12th through 16th.

    Robert Streb (71) was in third, seven shots adrift while Brendan Steele (68) and Patrick Rodgers (70) were tied for fourth on 10-under 206.

    Justin Thomas (65), Carlos Ortiz (66) and Will Mackenzie (70) were a further stroke back on 207.

    The Quail Hollow course record of 62 was established by McIlroy in the final round in 2010 — when he captured his first US PGA Tour title.

    Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge matched the mark in the second round last year.

    After opening his day with back-to-back pars, McIlroy birdied 11 of the next 14 holes.

    Highlights included driving the green at the 346-yard par-four 14th en route to a birdie.

    McIlroy said he was a tad disappointed with his seven-iron at the par-three 17th, where his tee shot left him 40 feet for birdie and he settled for a par.

    McIlroy said he now needs to turn his attention to Sunday’s final round when he will be seeking his 11th PGA Tour title.

    Five-time major champion Phil Mickelson, the 2010 runner-up, had climbed within one stroke of the lead thanks to four front-nine birdies.

    But closed with a triple bogey at 18 to fall into a group of five players tied for ninth at eight-under.

    Recommended