2024 Irish Open scores: Rory McIlroy takes 54-hole lead into final round at Royal County Down

The world No. 3 carded another under-par round on Saturday to seize the outright lead

By Patrick McDonald Sep 14, 2024 at 3:38 pm ET• 2 min read

After three days of play at Royal County Down, only one man can say he has been under par walking off the 18th green. That man is Rory McIlroy, who followed up rounds of 68-70 to open the 2024 Irish Open with a 2-under 69 on Moving Day to go from two back to one in front heading into Sunday's deciding round.

The world No. 3 stands at 6 under, one clear of Matteo Manassero and three ahead of the rest of a field that includes players such as Rasmus Højgaard, Erik van Rooyen and Robert MacIntyre at 3 under. MacIntyre is seeking to become the first player to win the Scottish Open and the Irish Open in the same year.

"I definitely would have taken the score before I went out today. Got off to the perfect start making 3 on [No.] 1," McIlroy said. "And then it was just a matter of trying to par as many holes as possible, and if you picked up a birdie here and there, it was a bonus. Yeah, I think to shoot in the 60s today in those conditions, obviously a really good effort and that puts me in a good position going into tomorrow."

McIlroy jumped into a share of the lead immediately Saturday as he made eagle on the par-5 1st for the second straight day. Lacing his approach from 180 yards to inside 6 feet, the Northern Irishman climbed to 6 under alongside the Italian, who had slept on the overnight lead.