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Rory McIlroy walks off the third green during the third round. Alamy Stock Photo
From The 42Golf
Rory McIlroy fires brilliant round to move into contention at Tour Championship
McIlroy is five shots behind leader Hovland heading into the final round.
LAST UPDATE | 30 Aug
RORY MCILROY FIRED a brilliant third-round 63 to surge into contention at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, as Viktor Hovland leads by one from Ryan Gerard heading into the final round.
A round of seven-under lifted McIlroy to 10-under overall, five shots behind Hovland.
A packed leaderboard sees plenty of stars still in the hunt, with Hovland’s 65 on Saturday taking him a shot clear of Gerard, who had a third round of 66.
Adam Scott, Ludvig Aberg, world number one Scottie Scheffler, and Chris Gotterup are all in a tie for third on 12-under.
McIlroy is tied for seventh alongside Cameron Young after his third round of 63.
McIlroy making a move 👀
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 29, 2026
9 birdies and a 63 on Moving Day for Rory @TOURChamp.
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/0C7AmRSBqr
The Masters champion had a chance to get to 11-under with a putt on the last, but it just rolled past. That stopped a brilliant run after he picked up shots on 15, 16, and 17.
In total McIlroy had nine birdies on Saturday, four on the front nine and five on the back nine. He bogeyed two par-three holes, the 2nd and 11th, but after rounds of 68 and 69, he has now vaulted himself into contention with his third round’s work.
Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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