US Open: Rory McIlroy likes his chances despite being six shots behind leader Matthew Wolff – ‘I’ve got a pretty good shot’
- McIlroy, playing his first major since the birth of his daughter, says lack of spectators as a coronavirus safety precaution removes distraction for leaders
- ‘If I go out there and shoot another 68, I won’t be too far away,’ says 31-year-old Northern Ireland star
Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy likes his chances of capturing his first major title since 2014 after firing a two-under 68 on Saturday to jump into contention at the US Open.
The 31-year-old Northern Ireland star stood on one-over 211 after 54 holes at wicked Winged Foot, where dense rough and lightning-fast greens kept the world’s best golfers scrambling. He goes into the final round six shots behind leader American Matthew Wolff.
“I’m feeling pretty good that I’ve got a good chance going into tomorrow,” McIlroy said. “Conditions are going to be pretty similar to today, which is fine. If I go out there and shoot another 68, I won’t be too far away.”
Fourth-ranked McIlroy, who has not won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship, battled through the tricky opening holes, found birdies where he could and scrambled late to stay in contention.
“It was really good,” he said. “Key for me was to just try to play the first five holes well. To get through those in even par, I knew in that middle section you could make a couple birdies and then hang on coming in. Knocked a couple in when I could. A really good round of golf.
