**Rory McIlroy Takes Lead at Irish Open**
In a thrilling turn of events at the Amgen Irish Open, Rory McIlroy showcased his golfing prowess by taking the lead after Day 3 at Royal County Down. The Holywood star delivered an impressive -2 round of 69, putting him at -6 overall and one shot ahead of his closest rival, Matteo Manassero, who finished the day with a round of 72.
As the final pair prepared to tee off at 1.05pm, the anticipation for the last round of the tournament was palpable. Sean Keeling was the first Irish player out on the course, teeing off at 7.21am, setting the stage for what promised to be an exciting day of golf.
**Irish Players in Action**
The Irish contingent had a mixed day on the course, with Shane Lowry making a strong start to his round. Lowry, who had birdied the first three holes on Day 3, continued his impressive form with another birdie, bringing him back to level par early in the round. Seamus Power and Tom McKibbin also teed off within the next hour, with Power in 25th place on +1 and McKibbin in 14th place on even par after a solid performance on Saturday.
**Notable Performances**
Despite a challenging third round, Sean Keeling showed resilience and skill in the final round, notching three birdies in four holes to finish the tournament on a high note. The 17-year-old had struggled in the previous round but bounced back admirably, ending the day at level par with three holes left to play.
Shane Lowry, on the other hand, faced some setbacks in his round, bogeying three of the last four holes for a score of 74. However, the Offaly native remained determined to make up ground in the final round as he teed off for what promised to be an exciting finish to the tournament.
**The Final Stretch**
As the final round of the Amgen Irish Open unfolded, the leaderboard saw some shifts in positions. Matteo Manassero, who had been in hot pursuit of McIlroy, finished his round just one shot behind the leader, carding a one-over 72 for the day. The Italian golfer’s performance kept him firmly in contention for the top spot as the competition heated up.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy continued to impress, carding a two-under 69 to secure the outright lead at -6. The County Down native demonstrated his skill and familiarity with the course, maintaining a one-stroke advantage over Manassero as he navigated the challenging conditions with confidence.
**Excitement Builds for the Final Round**
As the action unfolded on the course, the tension and excitement mounted for both players and spectators alike. With local favorite McIlroy poised to secure a second Irish Open victory, the stage was set for a thrilling conclusion to the tournament. As the final round approached, anticipation grew for what promised to be a memorable finish at Royal County Down.
In conclusion, the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down delivered a day of intense competition and impressive performances from the players. With Rory McIlroy leading the pack and Matteo Manassero hot on his heels, the stage was set for a dramatic finish to the tournament. As the players prepared to battle it out on the final day, fans eagerly awaited the outcome of what had been a thrilling display of golfing talent and skill.