Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks toward the 18th hole during the third round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. (AFP)
American Russell Henley fired a six-under 65 to take a one-shot lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship, but four-time major winner Rory McIlroy appears poised to strike.
The 25-year-old McIlroy stormed up the leaderboard with a seven-under 64 on Sunday to move into contention at the TPC Boston.
“I am happy to have another chance for a win here in Boston,” McIlroy said.
“I have good memories from 2012 when I chased down the lead ... Need to do the same tomorrow.”
McIlroy, the 2012 Deutsche Bank winner, vaulted into a share of third place with the day’s best round to reach 10-under-par 203, two shots adrift of Henley.
After an up and down opening two rounds, McIlroy needed just 27 putts on Sunday.
“I don’t think you ever (know a good round is coming),” he said. “You just keep playing and take it one hole at a time. The first couple of days I played well at the start, just couldn’t keep it going.”
McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, could return to the top of the FedEx Cup standings with a solid Monday finish after having his three tournament win streak snapped at the Barclays event last week.
Henley, 25, ended three rounds at 12-under-par 201. He will go for his third USPGA Tour title on Monday.
Billy Horschel posted a four-under 67 to move into second place at 11-under. Chris Kirk, who was paired with McIlroy, also fired a 64 to jump into a share of third place at 10-under-par. McIlroy and Kirk were joined there by second-round co-leader Jason Day (69).
Henley beat McIlroy earlier this year in a playoff to win The Honda Classic. His 65 Sunday was one of six scores 65 or better in the third round.
“Nobody is really expecting me to be sitting here right now,” Henley said. “And that is kind of how I like it.”
Former tournament winner Webb Simpson moved into sixth place at nine-under behind a third-round 68. Ryan Palmer, who shared the second-round lead with Day, posted his second straight 71 on Sunday. He dropped into a tie for seventh at eight-under 205. Palmer was joined there by Kevin Streelman (65), South Korea’s Noh Seung-Yul (68) and American Keegan Bradley (69).
SCORES AFTER ROUND THREE
201 Russell Henley (U.S.) 70 66 65
202 Billy Horschel (U.S.) 69 66 67
203 Chris Kirk (U.S.) 73 66 64; Rory McIlroy (Britain) 70 69 64; Jason Day (Australia) 66 68 69
204 Webb Simpson (U.S.) 66 70 68
205 Kevin Streelman (U.S.) 73 67 65; Noh Seung-Yul (South Korea) 69 68 68; Keegan Bradley (U.S.) 65 71 69; Ryan Palmer (U.S.) 63 71 71
206 Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 70 71 65; Chesson Hadley (U.S.) 66 73 67; Rickie Fowler (U.S.) 70 69 67
Jordan Spieth (U.S.) 67 70 69; Bill Haas (U.S.) 67 69 70 207; John Senden (Australia) 69 71 67; Robert Streb (U.S.) 73 67 67; Jim Furyk (U.S.) 72 66 69; Martin Kaymer (Germany) 71 66 70; Ben Crane (U.S.) 69 68 70; 208 Brian Stuard (U.S.) 72 71 65; Kevin Stadler (U.S.) 71 70 67.
