When Rory McIlroy arrived at the tenth hole during Saturday’s third round of the British Open, he was one shot back. Shortly thereafter, he was in the lead.
McIlroy’s tee shot on the par-four found a greenside bunker, which must have been to McIlroy’s liking. He blasted out of the bunker and onto the green. Then, as had happened with his friend Shane Lowry earlier in the day, McIlroy’s ball found the hole and dropped in for an eagle.
McIlroy has been a crowd favorite at St. Andrews throughout the week. That sentiment is shared by those watching elsewhere.
McIlroy’s fantastic eagle from the bunker inspired a happy reaction from those following the Open from their living rooms.
The eagle moved McIlroy into first place on his own, though that did not last long. McIlroy’s playing partner, Viktor Hovland — who made a dramatic eagle of his own on Friday — answered McIlroy’s eagle on No. 10 with a birdie to tie things up. It’s also far from a two-horse race. The leaderboard is crowded and has a great mix of big, established names and budding stars.
So, even before McIlroy’s eagle, it already seemed like a dramatic and exciting finish was ahead of us. That shot did nothing to dispell that feeling.
[The Open]