Erik van Rooyen’s level-par 71 on Saturday saw him climb three places into a share of third after the third round of the Amgen Irish Open at the challenging Royal County Down Golf Club in Northern Ireland.
A run of three bogeys in four holes on the front nine, together with two birdies, saw him turn in one-over 36. He made two birdies and a bogey on the homeward nine as he stayed at three-under-par for the tournament through 54 holes. He was three shots behind the leader, Rory McIlroy, who eagled the first on his was to a two-under 69. The world number three was one shot clear of Italy’s Matteo Manassero. Van Rooyen shared third with Jordan Smith of England, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and Dane Rasmus Hojgaard.
Behind Van Rooyen, Jaco Prinsloo slipped to a third round of two-over-par 73, but, at level-par for the tournament, was still in a share of 13th. Casey Jarvis bounded back with a one-under 70 lifting him to a share of 21st on one-over-par.
Brandon Stone battled to a four-over 75, while Thriston Lawrence had a five-over 76. They were in a share of 47th on five-over together with, amongst others, Thomas Aiken, who had a six-over 77.
