Getting up close and personal with Rory-Mania: A day on the links with the clear crowd favourite
Talk about living up to the hype.
The 150th Open promised fireworks, history, and spine-tingling drama, and my word is it delivering. As Viktor Hovland and Rory McIlroy set up their own possible duel in the St Andrews’ sun, let’s wrap up a memorable day three at The Open…
- RELATED: Leaderboard
- RELATED: Tee times
‘Rory-Mania’
If Tiger Woods’ nod to McIlroy on the 18th yesterday served as the final passing of the torch, how the Northern Irishman accepted the honour with purpose as he soared to the top of the leaderboard.
An otherwise solemn media centre was sent into disarray when McIlroy holed out from the sand on 10 – the eagle leaving me no choice but to get out and experience ‘Rory-Mania’ for myself. And how it was there in exhilarating abundance.
Chants of “Rory, Rory, Rory” serenaded the needle-mover as fans pressed against the barriers to get a glimpse of their hero late into the evening.
“My heart is pounding”, said one fan as McIlroy failed to get up-and-down on the Road Hole.
“Who’s in the group after this?” Asked another – as if it wasn’t crystal clear who everyone was here to see.
Some experience. Some player.
Norway’s finest
Spurred on by these fanboys, a clutch Hovland posted a bogey-free 66 to top the leaderboard alongside McIlroy and give himself an incredible chance at winning a first major…
The question then had to be asked. Can Viktor do it?
“Of course. Why else would we be dressed like idiots.”
Fair answer.
Shane flies like an eagle
It only took two swings for Shane Lowry to surge into brief contention – and oh were they glorious. The Irishman was 5-under when he arrived at the 9th, before this happened…
We then heard another roar across St Andrews, one guy clapped (despite having no clue what had happened), and as we soon discovered, Lowry had only gone and done it again on the 10th!
Sadly, the magic ended there for the 2019 Open champ, as three bogeys on the back-nine saw him fall out of contention as quick as he stormed into it.
“It was good fun when those two went in”, Lowry said. “But the rest of the day wasn’t so enjoyable.”
Hatton gets the hump
Needless to say it was a disappointing day for Tyrrell Hatton, the Englishman failing to read the low-scoring script as he carded a 73 to fall out of contention at St Andrews. Playing alongside Talor Gooch, rumours murmured that Hatton had got the hump with his playing partner due to some ‘insanely slow play’…
Whether that was true remains to be seen – Hatton begrudgingly refused to speak after his torrid day, although neither player seemed to be in a particularly chatty mood as they finished up their rounds…
Shop ’til you drop
One thing that wasn’t moving on moving day was the line for the merchandise shop. I made the rookie error of leaving all my Open shopping until the weekend, and, after seeing the size of the queue – might now be departing St Andrews empty handed…
As early as 10am, hundreds lined-up desperate to get their commemorative goodies – punters waiting 45 minutes in the scorching heat only to find the best stuff had already sold out. “I think we better go watch some golf,” begrudged one exasperated fan as he abandoned the battle.
Yes, probably best.
‘I knew it felt off!’
Bent clubs? No issue for Trey Mullinax.
After winning the Barbasol last week to earn an Open spot, the American’s gone on an adventure at St Andrews, sneaking into the cut before carding a sensational 66 on moving day… all while having a bent club!
Mullinax apparently had his sticks ruffed up by airport security on his journey to Scotland, causing his putter to be bent two degrees. The best part? Mullinax had no idea until midway through round three – yet still managed to card six birdies.
“I knew it felt off!” he said afterwards.
Donald’s subtle dig
Luke Donald failed to qualify for The Open this week, but that didn’t stop the former World No 1 having a slight jibe on Twitter over the bombers tearing up the Old Course…
Has he got a point?
Silver Medal race heats up
While the race for the Claret Jug heated up, en epic showdown was also set for the Silver Medal – the prize awarded to the low amateur of the week. After four amateurs made the cut, Barclay Brown will battle it out with Filippo Celli on Sunday with two shots separating the pair.
The winner will join quite the illustrious company…
Also on day three…
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George Cooper
A golf fanatic his entire life, George Cooper is NCG's man for all goings-on at the top level of the game, whether it's the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA or LIV Golf. He also looks after NCG's Twitter and Facebook accounts. George is a member of Woburn, but is not friends with Ian Poulter.
