BETHESDA, Maryland, (Reuters) – Rory McIlroy, whose record-setting start produced the lowest 36-hole total at a U.S. Open, kept up the pressure on Saturday by going two-under on the front nine to boost his lead to eight shots in the third round.
Northern Irishman McIlroy rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt at the fifth hole and tapped in for birdie at the par-five ninth in a bogey-free run to reach 13 under par at the 111th championship after beginning on 11-under-par 131.
The 22-year-old McIlroy, nearly flawless from tee to green in posting rounds of 65 and 66 the first two days, was not so accurate off the tee at Congressional yesterday yet saved himself with some precision iron play.
Surging into a tie for second on five under par were Briton Lee Westwood and 23-year-old Australian Jason Day, who both fired 65s to battle back from one over par after 36 holes.
World number two Westwood used a birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle stretch from the 13th, while Day made six birdies after parring his first five holes.
“Big leads are sometimes difficult to play with,” Westwood said in a television interview. “You just have to play your own game. I’m pleased with the way the day went.”
