The very best of Rory McIlroy on the golf course was preceded by the Northern Irishman’s latest insight into how the sport can best emerge from a current state of flux. McIlroy would probably rather not be asked questions about a path forward for elite golf. The trouble is, he is exceptionally good at answering them.
Firstly, inside the ropes. McIlroy cut a frustrated figure after playing the front nine of his third round in 38. His response was emphatic. McIlroy roared home in 30 shots, including three birdies in the closing trio of holes, to move firmly into contention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at five under par. Bay Hill’s ferocious setup, exaggerated by gusting winds, rendered McIlroy’s inward half a superb one. The 34-year-old will begin day four sitting the same number of shots adrift of his close friend Shane Lowry and Scottie Scheffler, the 2022 champion.
