There was thunder and lightning of sorts at The Open Championship on Saturday, but it had nothing to do with the severe weather system that was expected to wreak havoc on Royal Liverpool.
Rory McIlroy proved equally effective with an electrifying display of wonderful golf. The 25-year-old has said time and again that all he needed to do on this golf course was be patient, and wait for his scoring opportunities on the back nine.
And when Rickie Fowler caught up with him playing some stellar golf early on the back nine, it looked like things were not going too well for the Northern Irishman.
But, like the previous two days, McIlroy composed himself and stormed into six-shot lead in just six holes. That stunning finish, which included eagles on both par-5 16th and 18th, could well have been the knock-out blow as far as competition is concerned in the 143rd Open.
With his three rounds of 66, 66 and 68, McIlroy has clearly proved three things – he hasn’t yet lost his feel for links golf despite the numerous problems he has had on these courses in the last few years; he has got over his second-round issues; and most importantly, his focus and dedication for the game is back, and so is his form.
However, he now has one final thing to prove – that he is good enough to handle the pressure of a major on a Sunday and win one of the big four events of the sport once again.
A win from here may seem like a foregone conclusion, but as Greg Norman found out in such heart-breaking fashion at the 1996 Masters, even a six-shot lead can be ephemeral in golf.
McIlroy need not look very far for an example of why a six-shot lead on a Saturday nigh means nothing in a golf tournament.
Less than two months ago, it was McIlroy himself who came from seven shots behind at the BMW PGA Championship on the final day, and snatched the trophy from Thomas Bjorn.
There are unique factors that come into play during the final round, and surely, McIlroy’s mental strength will be tested once again. There are a few factors that will work in his favour.
The biggest being that much better weather is predicted for today. Considering the glee that was on McIlroy’s face when the heavens opened up after he finished his round, it is evident that he far prefers the sun than the rain, although as an Irishman he will be more than used to playing in testing conditions.
But more important than that is that someone will have to play out of his skin on the front nine today to put some early pressure on him, which is a challenge on its own.
Low scoring is not the easiest thing to do on the front nine of Royal Liverpool, which has some testing holes.
The back nine is much more scoreable, but that is where McIlroy has been majestic all week and if he reaches the home turn with his lead intact you would expect him to get the job done.
It looks like it’s his to lose but let’s put it this way, it’s not a gimme yet for McIlroy. He has to give the 18 holes today a very good read.
