NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland (AP) — Rory McIlroy delivered enough superb shots in a strong wind Saturday for a 2-under 69, giving him a one-shot lead over Matteo Manassero in the Irish Open as McIlroy tries to erase two bad memories on home soil.

After three days of play at Royal County Down, only one man can say he has been under par walking off the 18th green. That man is Rory McIlroy, who followed up rounds of 68-70 to open the 2024 Irish Open with a 2-under 69 on Moving Day to go from two back to one in front heading into Sunday's deciding round.

The last time Royal County Down hosted the Amgen Irish Open in 2015, tournament host Rory McIlroy missed the cut with rounds of 80 and 71. Nine years later, the world number three will head into Sunday’s final round with a one-shot lead over Matteo Manassero in pursuit of what would be his first professional win in the north.