There are three Britons in contention going into the final round of the US PGA Championship. Alas, for Rory McIlroy at least, he is not (really) one of them.
Once again it looks as though the Northern Irishman will go another major without tasting glory. And once again having headed into the tournament one of the fancied winners.
It’s not as though McIlroy has played badly this week, far from it. He shot five-under in the first round and yesterday shot three-under. But, as so often with the world No.2 there is always a poor round that costs him. Friday’s level-par 71, when everyone else was seemingly going low cost him and has, once again left him needing to make a miraculous comeback. It’s not beyond the realms that he could do it, but, seven shots back, we’re at best in the ‘highly unlikely’ stakes.
One crumb of comfort he can try and grab onto is that the record recovery to win in the final round of this tournament is exactly seven shots, and it came only two years ago, when Justin Thomas won at SOuthern Hills. Alas, the winning score was five-under and this week at Valhalla has been a lot more easy to score on.
Back to those Britons who are really in contention, Shane Lowry shot a major-record equalling 62 to move to 13-under, with Justin Rose and Robert MacIntrye a shot back on 12-under.
The leaders are Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa on 15-under. Sahith Theegala is one back on 14-under and Bryson DeChambeau is level with Lowry on 13-under.
So some big names in the mix, alas Rory isn’t one of them. But a fast start and you never know (us Rory fans need these slight slithers of hope…).
The leaders are set to get under way at 7.35 our time so stay with us hear to see who will end up winning the second major of the year.
