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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot on the fourth hole today.Alamy Stock Photo Rory McIlroy 'played OK' to shoot 65 in Houston Northern Irishman is eight shots off the lead going into the last day. 10.41pm, 29 Mar 2025 Share options WORLD NUMBER TWO Rory McIlroy, who birdied three of the last four holes Friday to make the cut, fired a 65 to leave himself eight strokes off the lead at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. The Northern Ireland star, who would complete a career Grand Slam by winning next month’s Masters, began on the back nine and holed out an eagle chip from just inside 54 feet at the par-5 eighth to highlight a bogey-free round. “I played OK,” McIlroy said. “It was nice to get out there and play decent. Certainly didn’t have my best, but shot a decent round and hopefully another good one tomorrow.” Australian Min Woo Lee birdied seven of the first 14 holes in firing a seven-under par 63 to seize a four-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round. The 26-year-old from Perth finished one off the Memorial Park course record to stand on 17-under 193, a 54-hole tournament record. “Just some solid golf,” Lee said. “Been playing really good the last few days. Just keep my head down.” Argentina’s Alejandro Tosti shot 65 to grab second on 197 with top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, fellow American Ryan Gerard and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox on 198. “I’ve learned from past experiences and obviously playing with Scottie the past few years, in the final group in a couple tournaments,” Lee said. Lee, with his first 54-hole lead in a PGA event, seeks his first PGA title after three wins on the European Tour. “Hopefully tomorrow is another good day,” Lee said. “Similar golf (to win). Just got to play pretty steady off the tee. A couple shaky drives at the end but kind of regrouped and made it happen. Just keeping my head down and one shot at a time.” While Lee, Fox, Tosti and Gerard each seek a breakthrough first PGA triumph, Scheffler won nine titles worldwide last year, including his second Masters and Paris Olympic gold, and matched the course record with a 62 on Friday. Advertisement Scheffler was bogey-free for the week until he followed a birdie at the par-5 third with a bogey after missing the green with his approach at the fourth. Scheffler birdied the par-5 eighth and answered a bogey at 13 with a birdie at the par-5 16th but the 36-hole leader only managed a 69. “Yesterday I holed a bunch of putts, today I feel like I couldn’t get the ball to go in the hole,” Scheffler said. “Feel like I hit a lot of good putts. “There’s not really much you can do different out there. Try to shoot as low as possible today and I’m going to try to do the same thing tomorrow.” Lee sank a six-foot birdie putt at the par-5 third and chipped in for birdie from 34 feet at the par-4 sixth to grab the lead at 12-under. Lee dropped his approach inches from the hole at the par-5 eighth and par-3 ninth to set up tap-in birdies on both holes and sank a birdie putt from just inside 12 feet at the 10th for his third consecutive birdie to reach 15-under and stretch his lead to three strokes. World number 55 Lee birdied the par-4 12th after landing his approach inside five feet and when Scheffler made bogey at the 13th, the Aussie had a five-stroke edge. Lee sank his seventh birdie in 14 holes, a seven-footer at 14, and parred his way to the clubhouse. American Davis Thompson birdied seven of the first 10 holes on his way to a 64, matching his best PGA round to stand on 200. “It was a good day,” Thompson said. “It gives me confidence knowing I’m playing well. Just got to go do the same thing tomorrow, give myself a lot of good looks and make a few of them.” You can follow the leaderboard here Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here. Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Rory McIlroy 'played OK' to shoot 65 in Houston”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Rory McIlroy 'played OK' to shoot 65 in Houston”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. 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