Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy fired his second consecutive 67 on Saturday to come back from two strokes down and take the lead after 54 holes of The CJ Cup in Ridgeland, S.C.
McIlroy sits 13-under 200 for the tournament at Congaree Golf Club.
McIlroy, looking to reclaim World No. 1 and earn the second successful title defense of his career, carded two eagles on the day.
Spain’s Jon Rahm (third-round 70), South Korea’s K.H. Lee (66) and Kurt Kitayama (70) are all tied for second place at 12 under. Aaron Wise (71) and Taylor Moore (67) are three shots off the lead in a tie for fifth, and Brendon Todd (69) and South Korea’s Tom Kim (69) were at 9 under, tied for seventh.
McIlroy had eagles on a pair of par-5 holes, one on each side, collecting one at No. 4 and the other at No. 12. He was asked which was his favorite.
“It’s nice when you get that question,” McIlroy said. “I think the eagle on 12 was the most fun just after how far I hit the tee shot.”
McIlroy also posted three bogeys for his round to go with three birdies.
“It was sort of you take away those two (eagles) and I was even par for the rest of the round,” McIlroy said. “Felt like it was a little scrappy coming in, but did enough to hang in there and shoot a solid score.”
Rahm birdied three of his final seven holes to sit one stroke back after owning a share of the lead after 36 holes. He also had a run of three bogeys in four holes.
“A lot of battle today,” Rahm said. “I’m proud of it, very proud of it. I mean, I’m standing on the 12th tee, I think I was four back with people looking at par 5s and the tee up on 15, I thought things could get ugly. But I just stayed on my own game and tried to make some birdies coming in and put myself in position for tomorrow.”
With two career runner-up finishes, Kitayama looks to claim his first PGA Tour title. But he’s trying not to overthink things heading into the final round.
“Just staying patient, I think, because anything can happen in the final round,” Kitayama said. “Just try to be there within striking distance or with a lead coming down the stretch. It’s just going to take a lot of patience, I think.”
–Field Level Media