The round started so well but ended in disappointment for Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy started his third round on one under at The 150th Open. The Northern Irishman got off to a perfect start as he hit a fantastic second shot from 131 yards to set up a tap in birdie. The second was another opportunity for McIlroy to move one shot closer but he unfortunately missed the putt. The third at Royal Liverpool proves to be difficult with out of bounds but McIlroy set up another birdie after another remarkable iron shot from 186 yards. He achieved to role in his birdie putt at the third to reach three under. McIlroy failed to birdie the fourth but was successful in achieving a birdie at the par five fifth to reach four under.

The iron shots from McIlroy on the first five holes were all amazing and he could have been five under after five holes. The sixth was playing 196 yard par three which McIlroy had to settle for a par. On the seventh he had 171 yards for his second and 149 on the eight but McIlroy wasn’t able to achieve a birdie on both holes. McIlroy shot a front nine of 32 and that was the worst he could of shot due to how well he was hitting his iron shots.

His second shots at 10, 11 and 12 were all out to the right. He was successful in achieving a par at both 10 and 11 but unfortunately achieved a bogey at the 12th. With there been a lack of wind on day three the last six holes had plenty of birdie opportunities especially the two par fives. McIlroy missed the fairway at the 15th then his second shot also went right but hit a good chip shot to set up a birdie putt. It was a weak attempt for birdie as McIlroy had a frustrating par at the par five 15th.

McIlroy missed the fairway at the par four 16th but only had 151 yards for his second shot. McIlroy hit a great second shot to set up a birdie putt but it was another occasion were the ball failed to go into the hole. Little Eye par three 17th was playing just 120 yards and McIlroy hit another good iron shot onto the green. It looked like he was spending too much time in reading the putt as he had settle for another par at the par three 17th.

McIlroy went with a driver for his tee shot on the 18th but was a shock as he didn’t commit to the swing. The tee shot ended up in the rough but McIlroy put it back in play with his second. His third shot at the 18th was another great shot but his birdie putt yet again failed to reach the target. McIlroy signed for a third round of 69 to end up on three under.

McIlroy was hitting the ball great on day three but just couldn’t hold a putt due to a cold putter. He is nine behind going into the final round but is very capable of shooting a low score. If he manages to hole a few putts on the final day he might be able to set a target in the clubhouse. Regardless of how well McIlroy plays in the final round, he will require the leader Brian Harman to drop a few shots as the American currently has one hand on the Claret Jug.