Rory McIlroy just has to hold his nerve as he takes a six-stroke lead into the final day at the British Open
RORY McIlroy has weathered the storm. Now it’s time for the mind games as he hold a six-stroke lead going into the final round of the British Open.
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RORY McIlroy has weathered the storm. Now it’s time for the mind games.
The Northern Irishman goes into the final round of the British Open at Royal Liverpool with a commanding six stroke lead over nearest rival American Rickie Fowler after completing a composed 4-under 68 on a day that started with torrential rain and ended under leaden skies.
So concerned were officials that play would be disrupted by rain that for the first time in Open history the field was split and play started from the first and tenth tees.
While it proved an inspired decision — a violent thunderstorm erupted half an hour after the last player finished his round — it also meant unlike the first two rounds when McIlroy was blessed with the best weather of the day, he had to endure similar conditions to the rest of the field. He proved to be more than capable of handling them, an eagle on the last hole sending a strong message to anyone wanting to get between him and the Claret Jug.
While the heavy rain did cause some problems early, it cleared to produce still air and soft greens, ideal conditions for low scores. A number of players made charges — Fowler tying for the lead after three straight birdies to the 12th — but McIlroy finished by far the strongest.
His confident displays throughout the tournament would suggest Sunday will be little more than a case of showing up, playing as he has for the past three days, and collecting the trophy.
Anyone who has led after the third round of the Open Championship will attest that it’s not that simple.
In 2012, Australian Adam Scott bogeyed the last four holes to hand victory to Ernie Els. Asked following his third round 69 if he thought this year’s Open would be decided by mental strength rather than course conditions Scott answered, “I guess they all are at some point. It’s how well you can handle the pressure and execute the shots under certain situations.”
McIlroy, who won a tournament from seven strokes back this season, didn’t have to be reminded of the mental battle he has to fight with himself throughout the final round.
“I think whenever you have such a big lead you really can’t think about anyone else but yourself,” he said. “You have to think about how you’re going to control your emotions; how you’re going to control whatever thoughts you have, try to stay completely in the present and focus on what you need to do.
“A lot can happen. I’ve been on the right side of it and I’ve been on the wrong side of it and that’s why you can’t let yourself think forward. You can’t let yourself think about winning. You’ve just got to completely stay in the moment and that’s what I’m going to try to do for all 18 holes.”
In a tie for seventh place 10 strokes behind McIlroy, Scott is the best of the Australians, one stroke ahead of Marc Leishman who had a 2-under 70. Matt Jones, who finished even with the card, is in a tie for 45th, with John Senden, Jason Day and Rhein Gibson, all in equal 63rd position, 20 shots off the pace.
Scott realises catching the leader is an enormous ask, but knows from painful experience that anything is possible on the final day of a major tournament.
“If you can post a number at a major, you never know, because no matter how easy you might think it is, it’s a lot harder with the pressure of a major out there for the leaders,” he said.
“I think out of the group of the guys up there behind Rory, there’s probably a low score in one of them if they want to win it and they’re going to have to do it, but you never know. We’ve seen so many crazy things happen.
“If you’re a few back, you’re in it. Two eagle chances and a legitimate birdie chance down 17 when the wind’s down, lots can happen. And if it is very windy, then certainly lots can happen.
“If you’re a few out, you’ve got a chance.”
Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who shot 69 to be tied in third spot with Friday’s low scorer Dustin Johnson seven behind McIlroy, is well aware of the enormity of the task.
“If Rory shoots three under I have to shoot ten under and no-one has done that before,” he said. “If he plays the way he has been playing it is difficult to see anyone catching him.
“The only thing I can do is play well and try to put pressure on him and see how he reacts.”
To which 71 other players would no doubt add, “and so say all of us.”
Originally published as Rory McIlroy just has to hold his nerve as he takes a six-stroke lead into the final day at the British Open
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