McIlroy taking nothing for granted

European Tour

Rory McIlroy won’t take anything for granted despite the six-stroke lead he has heading into the final day of The Open Championship.

The Northern Irishman reflected on his recent Wentworth experience where he started the final round seven shots adrift of leader Thomas Bjorn, but would eventually win his first tournament of the year.

McIlroy said that it is not impossible for him to suffer a similar fate and insisted that he would have to be on top of his game if he is to take his victory telly for the year to two.

“I noticed coming off the 11th tee at Wentworth that Thomas (Bjorn) and Luke (Donald) had made 7s on the 6th hole. So I knew that it was my opportunity,” he said.

“This was my chance to make a few birdies. And there were some birdie opportunities coming up for me, par-4 11th, par-5 12.

“And I knew that I could make up some ground on them and maybe put a bit of pressure on them.

“Yeah, I’ll try and avoid the big numbers tomorrow, like what they did at Wentworth. Just try and keep it nice and tight, and play another good solid round of golf.”

McIlroy has played very consistent golf in recent times and seems to be over all the personal issues that may have influenced his 2013 performances.

On Saturday he produced the magic that once earned him golf’s top ranking as he finished the day with two eagles on the last three holes.

“I feel very comfortable. I’m comfortable in this position. I’m comfortable sort of leading the tournament. This is the third night in a row that I’ll sleep on the lead,” he said.

“It helps that I’ve been in this position before and I’ve been able to convert and I’ve been able to get the job done.

“Just really comfortable with my golf game. Comfortable with how I’m hitting it. Really comfortable on the greens.

“I feel like that’s been a big help this week. And I just need to go out there tomorrow and play one more solid round and hopefully that’s enough.”

If it is enough it will mean that McIlroy has won three of golf’s four majors and would stand just a Masters victory away from joining Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to have completed the fabled Grand Slam of golf.

Were he to do so next April at Augusta National he would, at 25, be the second youngest ever to have won all four after Woods who was 24.

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