DP World Tour Horizon Irish Open....Leaderboard
Hurly Long will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the 2023 Horizon Irish Open but must hold off a stellar chasing pack which includes Rory McIlroy if he is to claim his maiden DP World Tour title on Sunday.
With all three members of the final group slipping backwards at The K Club on Saturday afternoon, the 28-year-old took full advantage, carding four birdies and two bogeys in a third-round 70 to reach 13 under par and hit the front.
Halfway co-leader Jordan Smith was Long's nearest challenger on 12 under after closing his 73 with a birdie, with World Number Two McIlroy a shot further back following his stunning 66 earlier in the day.
The Northern Irishman, who is bidding to win his second Irish Open title after tasting victory at this venue in 2016, produced some of his very best golf, carding seven birdies and a single bogey in front of bumper crowds.
Speaking about the prospect of playing alongside crowd favourite McIlroy, Long said: "It's exciting.
"Last year at The Belfry I was leading after two rounds, and there were ginormous crowds out there as well.
"So I can take something from that. I've got a good attitude. I know it's going to be way more difficult tomorrow than it was even today but you can feed off that just as well.
Englishman Smith, who mixed three birdies with a double bogey and two bogeys, said: "It's going to be good fun playing with Rory.
"But I've just got to stick to my own game. Ball-striking is fine. Just a few unlucky breaks today.
"I look forward to it. It will be great. The crowds will be great. It will be loud and just hopefully the weather sticks."
edit*** Canada's Aaron Cockerill squandered a Friday -6 66 with a 10 shot worse Saturday with a 7 bogey, 3 birdie +4 76 near last at #69 -1..
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit
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