Rory McIlroy on a hot streak at British Masters after feasting on a spicy curry
A brilliant six-under 64 leaves 'diet conscious' Irishman just two shots off the lead at the British Masters
RORY McILROY warmed up for ‘moving day’ at the British Masters with a spicy curry — and was hot stuff as he charged into contention.
McIlroy shot a brilliant six-under 64 at Close House in Northumberland to leave him just two shots off the lead.
But he admitted he thought he might struggle with a few downwind shots!
He said: “I had a hot curry last night and there was only one number on my mind walking to the first tee!
“But I started well for the first time this week and that settled me down. I had a nice run of birdies and that really got the competitive juices flowing again.
“When I got here, I said I wasn’t going to get too worked up about pushing for a first win of the year in these two events I’ve got left to play.
“But that mindset changes once you force your way into contention. I’m not that far back any more. I just have to go out and play aggressive, attacking golf again and see where it takes me.”
McIlroy seems to have developed an obsession with his diet this week.
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He talked about how he needed to cut down on the cake and junk food before the tournament began but at least he seemed happy to feast on birdies.
The third round is traditional called ‘moving day’ and the only leading players who failed to take a step forward were overnight leader Tyrrell Hatton and tournament host Lee Westwood.
But David Lingmerth got himself in the picture with a stunning 62, while fellow Swede Robert Karlsson edged in front by a shot after his 67.
Hatton will hope he has got his bad round out of the way with his disappointing 71, while Westwood looked even more annoyed at his level-par 70.
Westy claimed three early birdies to climb into a share of the lead and with, six to play, he had stretched his bogey-free run to 48 holes.
But the wheels came off on easiest hole this week, the 526-yard 13th. Westwood drove into thick rough, had two attempts to hack it out and made an ugly bogey.
He dropped another on 14 and was steaming when a third bogey at 18 left him where he started — three off the pace.
THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD - 198 R Karlsson (Swe) 67; 199 R Ramsay 65, P Dunne 65, T Hatton 71, I Poulter 68, G Storm 67; 200 R McIlroy 64, C Hanson 69, S Lowry 66, D Lingmerth (Swe) 62, G Coetzee (SA) 65.
