Reigning champion McIlroy claims lead after pair of eagles at CJ Cup
Ben Somerford
October 23, 2022 00:10 MYT
October 23, 2022 00:10 MYT
Rory McIlroy carded two eagles on the third day at the CJ Cup to catapult himself to the top of the leaderboard by one stroke at the Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina on Saturday.
McIlroy's four-under-par 67 moved him to 13 under after 54 holes, ahead of Lee Kyoung-hoon, who tied the day's lowest round with 66, Kurt Kitayama and halfway leader Jon Rahm who are all 12 under.
Taylor Moore and Aaron Wise are next best, both a further two shots back at 10 under ahead of the final day.
McIlroy's round included three bogeys and three birdies, but was highlighted by eagles on the par-five fourth hole and par-five 12th.
The Northern Irishman, who is the defending CJ Cup champion, approached from 227 yards with a long iron that landed within two feet of the flag on the fourth. McIlroy holed out up a slight hill for a 32-foot eagle on the 12th.
McIlroy's round also included a touch of fortune on the 15th when a heavy shot hit a sprinkler head to slow it up nicely on the green, leading to par.
Brilliant eagle from way downtown @McIlroyRory jumps to the solo lead @CJCupSC. pic.twitter.com/R4S79OECHw — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 22, 2022
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Lee stormed into contention with six birdies across his round, managing a fine approach on the 17th to card one of only three birdies of the day on that hole.
Rahm also achieved that feat on the penultimate hole to help resurrect his hopes, after three bogeys in four holes in the middle of his round.
Kitayama, who had been second behind Rahm coming into the third day, had his worst round of the tournament, carding a one-under 70.
South Korean phenom Tom Kim carded a two-under 69 to be nine-under overall, while Tommy Fleetwood and Maverick McNealy both managed rounds of 66 to be eight under.
World number one Scottie Scheffler's miserable CJ Cup continued with a three-over 74, leaving him well off the pace, while Wyndham Clark provided a bright point with an ace on the par-three 10th.
ACE ALERT @Wyndham_Clark cards a 1 at No. 10. pic.twitter.com/ei0WispHUe — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 22, 2022
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