Monday 5 September 2016 00:27, UK
Rory McIlroy came agonisingly close to recording the first albatross of his career as he continued his encouraging form at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
McIlroy and playing-partner Harris English both wowed the vast galleries surrounding the 18th green at TPC Boston with spectacular second shots to the par-five that resulted in a pair of tap-in eagles.
English had tumbled down the leaderboard and was four over for the day heading to the last, but he salvaged some pride with a near-perfect 220-yard long iron which settled within two feet of the pin.
But McIlroy's second from 10 yards closer was even better, pitching a few feet short of the pin and rolling towards the target before catching the lip and staying high.
"It would have been my first albatross," said McIlroy, who tapped in for an eagle and a round of 66 which lifted him into a tie for seventh on nine under par - six shots behind leader Paul Casey.
"I had 212 yards back into the wind and it was a great shot. The wind was gusting a little bit, and I just hit a four-iron as good as I could and luckily the result ended up the way I wanted. Obviously it's a nice way to finish, with an eagle."
McIlroy was delighted to continue his improvement on the greens, while his long-game remains in fine shape as he looks to put pressure on Casey with an early charge in Monday's final round.
The world No 5 is hoping for a repeat of the blustery conditions, and he may get his wish as the threat of bad weather forced organisers to introduce a two-tee start, with the players going out in three-balls.
"With the conditions as tricky as they are, hopefully I'll be in with a shout," added McIlroy, who made four straight birdies on the front nine and would have been in closer proximity to Casey had it not been for a double-bogey six at the 12th.
"I don't feel as under pressure with my long game now to hit it within three feet the whole time. I feel I can give myself chances from 10, 15, 20 feet and have a good chance of holing them.
"It's amazing what one good round does - just that little bit of confidence. I made four nice birdies in a row on the front nine, and some good putts on the back nine as well. It bodes well for the future."
