Rory McIlroy says he feels he has to "keep hope" that he can still emerge victorious this weekend from Oak Hill and win his first major since 2014 at the US PGA Championship.
McIlroy sits five shots off the lead held by Brooks Koepka heading into today's final round having carded another one under-par round on Saturday.
The Co. Down man is also one under-par for the tournament and remains in contention. If he can shoot a low score on the course today he could mount a serious challenge.
McIlroy has shot back-to-back 69's and was asked after his round yesterday whether he thought he was capable of shooting a 65.
"I hope so. Like if I look at today, I made enough birdies to shoot a score like that," he said.
"I just needed to keep those mistakes off the card. I need to keep hope.
"I have to believe that there is a score like that out there because looking at the board, it's probably a score I'm going to have to shoot something like that to have a chance to win.
Rory McIlroy is off to a strong start, shooting 2 under par through his first 5 holes. He is now only 3 shots behind the leaders Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, and Corey Conners.#PGAChamp
pic.twitter.com/pi90HF7xWv— Golf Please (@golf_please) May 20, 2023
"I'd obviously like to be a couple of shots closer to the lead, but I think with -- again, 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."
Rory McIlroy feels he can play better
McIlroy believes he is capable of more.
"I think I still don't feel like my game is in great shape.
"It hasn't been great. I can play a lot better.
"Even today, I was just aiming it down one side of the hole and hitting driver and sort of just accepting that it probably will go in the rough."
McIlroy played his third round alongside Shane Lowry who shot a one over-par round of 71 to sit in a tie for tenth, seven shots of the lead.
Pádraig Harrington is well down the field in a tie for 58th.
SEE ALSO: Lowry And McIlroy Were Caught Dropping A Few Angry F-Bombs At The PGA Championship
