Rory McIlroy might only have a puncher's chance of reeling in the leaders and claiming a second PGA Championship crown, but he reckons as long as he keeps his attitude in check, anything is possible on the final day at Oakland Hills Country Club.
McIlroy carded a second straight one-under-par 69 in trying conditions in Saturday's third round, leaving him one under overall, a remarkable score considering the Holywood star has appeared to have, at best, his B Game all week long.
Playing with countryman, Shane Lowry, McIlroy felt the familiarity of being paired with his pal didn’t necessarily make the consistent rain any easier to get through.
"As comfortable as the pairing with Shane [Lowry] was, the conditions were as uncomfortable," McIlroy said after his round.
"Starting off was tough. Did really well to be a couple under after five. Gave a couple back. The conditions got a little better - a little squally around 15, 16 there - but anything in red figures today is a good score."
"My attitude is the most important thing. I went out there today and freewheeled it. Whatever happens, happens, the conditions are tough. I need to go out there tomorrow with the same attitude."
McIlroy has struggled all week with his long game and revealed on Thursday he was also battling an unspecified illness.
"I'd obviously like to be a couple of shots closer to the lead," McIlroy said."But I think with how I've felt this week, if you had have told me on Thursday night that I'd be going into Sunday in the top five and with a realistic chance to win this golf tournament, I would have taken it."
The outright lead of six-under-par belongs to two-time PGA Champion, Brooks Koepka who carded a second-straight 66 after opening on Thursday with 72. The American credited his successful day with "missing in all the right places" around Oakland Hills.
Viktor Hovland and Corey Conners, who double-bogeyed the 16th when alone in the lead, both sit on -5 with Bryson DeChambeau on three-under. Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler, who had a disappointing 73 on Saturday, are both right in the mix at two-under-par overall.
Lowry was around in one-over-par 71 to sit on +1 heading into the final day, good enough for a tie for 10th. McIlroy sits tied-sixth. The only other Irishman left in the field, Pádraig Harrington, had a memorable finish to his round when he holed out of a bunker for birdie on 18.
It was the Dubliner’s 75th stroke of the day and leaves him on eight-over-par overall, good enough to be in a tie for 58th with one round left.
