Rory McIlroy Trails by Nine Shots in Australian Open Masters Challenge
Rory McIlroy faces an uphill battle in the Australian Open, trailing by nine shots as the final day approaches. The competition is taking place at Royal Melbourne, where the Masters champion is grappling with a challenging leaderboard.
Current Standings in the Australian Open
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark leads the tournament with a score of 14-under par. He recently carded an impressive 66 in the third round. Following him are Cameron Smith from Australia, Si-Woo Kim, and Carlos Ortiz, all tied in second place at 12-under.
McIlroy’s Performance
McIlroy, who previously won the Australian Open in 2013, shot a three-under 68 in the third round. His total score now sits at five-under par, placing him in joint 24th position.
Challenges on the Course
- McIlroy faced difficulties early on with a rare double-bogey on the second hole.
- He struggled to relocate a banana skin that was next to his ball, affecting his shot.
- Despite the rocky start, he managed to secure two birdies and four pars on the front nine.
- On the back nine, the Northern Irish golfer found his rhythm, recording four additional birdies.
McIlroy’s Insights
Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy stated, “It was sort of a double whammy – it was in the tough grass and under a banana skin, but I shouldn’t have been there in the first place.” He acknowledged his slow start but mentioned recovering well afterward. However, he admitted that he is likely too far behind to mount a serious challenge in the final round.
Other Notable Performances
In addition to McIlroy, Scottish golfer Cameron Adam, in only his second event as a professional, is currently four-under par. He shares the 29th spot with fellow Scot David Young.
With the final round approaching, all eyes will be on the leaders, particularly Neergaard-Petersen, as he aims to maintain his advantageous position in the Australian Open.
