Rory McIlroy is eyeing a fast start on Sunday after a second straight bogey-free round kept him in contention at the 2025 Amgen Irish Open.
The World Number Two, from over the border in Northern Ireland, shot 68 at The K Club and will tee off in the final round four shots behind overnight leader Adrien Saddier.
Angel Hidalgo is second on 14 under with Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, McIlroy's playing partner for Saturday and Sunday, third on 12 under.
Asked if he feels he has a low round in his locker on Sunday, McIlroy said: "I do, yeah. I just need to see a couple of putts drop early on. I gave myself chances early on and didn't quite convert.
"Yeah, if I can get off to a fast start tomorrow and put a little bit of pressure on the guys behind (on the course), hopefully I'll make the back nine interesting."
Birdies at the fourth and fifth got 2016 champion McIlroy moving on Saturday as he built on his 66 the previous day.
While he could not emulate the fireworks provided by Hidalgo, whose 63 featured 12 birdies and seven in succession, McIlroy made further gains with a 37-foot putt on the 14th and a superb approach to the par-five 18th.
"As I was walking off the 18th green, I said to Harry (Diamond, caddie) this is probably the most frustrating four-under-par round of golf I've played in a while," he said.
"I felt like I gave myself a lot of chances, hit some good putts that didn't go in. Had a nice one that dropped at 14.
"I feel like all day I was just trying to keep myself in close position to the leads. I feel like I could be a couple of shots better, but overall still in a decent position going into tomorrow."
Victory would be McIlroy's first since completing the career Grand Slam at April's Masters - and the support he received from the Irish crowd rivalled the atmosphere at Augusta or anywhere else, with Riverdance star Michael Flatley among those seen greenside watching his round.
Garcia-Heredia was certainly not overawed by playing with McIlroy, with a birdie at the first and two eagles in his round of 67. In an on-course interview, the 43-year-old Spaniard hailed the atmosphere as "fantastic, the best I've seen so far in my life".
McIlroy said: "It's just an unbelievable atmosphere to play in. It's such a pleasure.
"They're so respectful. They supported Alfredo out there a lot as well, we had a great round of golf.
"Yeah, it was amazing. I know it's a sell-out for the weekend so I'm expecting more of the same tomorrow, which will be good."
