With a chance to become the No. 1 ranked player in the World with a win. 22-year old Rory McIlory carded a four-under par, 66 to take a two stroke lead heading into the final round of the 2012 Honda Classic.The young Northern Irishman entered moving day one shot off of the lead of veteran Tom Gillis. Who finished at one-under par on his round, and will be paired with McIlroy and young Harris English in tomorrow's final round.
Heavy winds and severe weather conditions are expected tomorrow in and around the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida area.
The players will go off of split tees in three-somes to try and get the event in before the weather causes too many issues with play.
When asked about the scenario of going out earlier than normal on account of the weather. McIlory responded with, "Yeah, you know, it could be a good thing just to get out there and get at it. Again, I'm not sure what weather we are going to get tomorrow."
"They are predicting pretty bad stuff later on. So it will be great just to get out there and get going. It's always nice at the weekend when you are playing two balls because play goes a little bit faster. Tomorrow it's threes again, so it's something that you have to prepare for as well."
McIlroy came out firing as he quickly jumped to three-under par on his round, after three consecutive birdies on holes 3, 4 and 5.
That would get his score to 10-under. Though he remained at 10-under only briefly.
He would have back-to-back bogeys on six and seven, that would send him to eight-under par. And back into a tie for the lead with Gillis.
Heading to the back nine. Many couldn't help but think back to 2011 on Saturday for McIlroy at this very event.
The then 21-year old went into the infamous 'Bear Trap', and by the time he had gone through holes 15 through 17. He would have his fare share, and them some of the wrath it can take on your score card.
He would double each of those three holes. Ending any bid to finish in contention.
This year however, it would be different. McIlroy arrived at the famed three-hole stretch after a birdie on the par-four, 12th.
A birdie on 15, followed by pars on 16 and 17 would set him up for the reachable par-five, 18th.
In his post round press conference. McIlroy was asked about his tee shot on the par-three, 15th.
"They shortened both 15 and 17 for us today. So you know, 15 was only playing a 9‑iron, and it was a perfect club for me just to hit a good, solid 9‑iron and hold it against the wind. I was thinking that it was probably going to pitch a little further than it did in the middle of the green, but obviously just pitched past the hole and came back a little bit and set up a nice birdie there."
"I'm very confident with my iron play this week. I feel like it's been really good. I hit two great shots into 15 and 17, and you just want to try and get through that without really any damage. If you can take three pars, then that's great. And if you pick up a birdie along the way, it's a bonus."
McIlroy hit a picture perfect drive of 309 yards giving him the opportunity to go at the 18th green in two.
Though is approach shot found the right green side bunker. He would get up and down for a birdie to take a two shot lead heading into the final round.
A two shot lead, and more than a fare chance of reaching his life long dream.
To become the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world.
And by the way -- He's just 22-years old.
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