Rory McIlroy is one back of Masters champion Danny Willett and Marc Warren at the Irish Open after shooting a 2-under 70 on Friday at The K Club.
McIlroy had five birdies and three bogeys on his round in tougher conditions on Friday in Kildare, Ireland.
The best rounds of the day were a pair of 6-under 66s turned in by Marc Warren and Russell Knox, but McIlroy's 70 was enough to pull him one stroke closer to Willett and the lead.
McIlroy has created a habit recently of going low early in the week, struggling on Saturdays to fall well off the pace heading into Sunday, before mounting a charge in the final round for a quality finish.
Over his last three events, McIlroy is 9 over in the third round. He did so at the Masters (77 on Saturday), Quail Hollow (73) and The Players (75). Once again he's positioned himself well after two days at the Irish Open and if he can put his Saturday demons behind him, he should have a good shot at his first win of the season.
