Rory McIlroy shot his lowest score as a professional, a course-record 11-under-par 61, to charge into the lead after the third round at the Wells Fargo Championship on Saturday.
The world number one used an astonishing display of long driving to overpower Quail Hollow, and struck a series of towering iron shots that honed in on the pins to set up 11 birdies.
He posted an 18-under 198 total, a tournament record low score, to open a four-shot lead over American Webb Simpson (68), and a seven-shot advantage over third-placed Robert Streb.
McIlroy’s 61 bettered by one stroke the course record he held jointly with Brendon de Jonge and he rates it among the best of his career.
“I looked at the scores in the morning and saw there were some low ones out there,” said McIlroy.
“I got a little more aggressive, and it paid off. I just aimed at the flags today. It’s as simple as that. I was taking dead aim.”
The four-times Major champion recalled how he once shot a 61 at Portrush during the North of Ireland amateur championship.
“That was a good round. There’s been quite a lot of rounds where I’ve got it going but that was definitely up there today,” he said.
McIlroy had just 23 putts, but did not hole anything longer than 15 feet and only once, at the first hole, where he sank a seven-footer for par, was he in serious danger of dropping a shot.
He started thinking about shooting a 59 after a birdie at the 13th took him to eight under.
McIlroy needed to birdie the difficult final two holes to shoot a magical 59 but it was not to be as he left his approach shots a long way from the hole on both occasions.
“I was a little disappointed not finishing it off the way I wanted to,” said McIlroy, who notched his first PGA Tour victory at Quail Hollow five years ago.
He nearly did not play this year due to his busy schedule but is glad he decided to come, even if it means playing five weeks in a row.
“I love the place, I’m playing well, so at least for now that decision (to play) has paid off,” he said.
McIlroy drew comparisons with Tiger Woods from his third-round playing partner Will MacKenzie.
“Tiger was the man. Rory is up there. He’s Tiger-like to me,” said MacKenzie, a two-time PGA Tour winner.
“Guys like Jordan Spieth and Rickie (Fowler) are totally awesome, but when this guy hits it, you know who’s hitting it.
“The long ball is impressive but he’s got the touch to back it up. When this guy’s on, he just loads (on his backswing) better than everybody. He’s just stronger, a little more physically gifted.”
MacKenzie had never played with McIlroy, and he watched in awe as he crushed his tee shots massive distances and took dead aim at pin after pin.
“It was phenomenal,” added MacKenzie. “He overpowers the course. He’s way better than me. He’s just a little bit better than everybody.
“I think he’s going to become the Tiger Woods. I’m just glad he doesn’t play every week.”
Second-placed Simpson was impressed with McIlroy’s score, though he did not see it.
Simpson, who lives next to the course, was surprised there was not more noise emanating from McIlroy’s gallery.
“I didn’t hear as many roars as I thought I would have, if he was doing what he was doing,” Simpson said. “Good for him for playing so well.”.
