McIlroy, Power, Lowry and Maguire seek big finishes to 2022
Séamus Power, Rory McIlroy and Leona Maguire put themselves in position to end 2022 on a big high after positive days on opposite sides of the world.
One of the big revelations in world golf this year, Power tops the FedEx Cup standings after following his second tour win in Bermuda last month with a third-place finish in Mayakoba.
He was frustrated to finish with a bogey at this final hole in the RSM Classic at Sea Island in Georgia last night, but he still made six birdies in a four-under 68 on the Plantation Course that left him tied 15th at halfway and in position to contend for a third PGA Tour win that would catapult him into the world's top 25.
The world number 30 was just four strokes behind Andrew Putnam, Harry Higgs and Cole Hammer, who led by a shot from Joel Dahmen and Beau Hossler on 12-under par.
It could also be a big weekend for world number one McIlroy on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
While victory in the DP World Tour Championship might be a tall order as he trails leaders Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton by seven shots at halfway, his spectacular birdie-birdie-eagle finish for a four-under 68 repaired the damage of an underwhelming opening 33 holes.
His finishing flourish at least gives him a chance to claim his fourth Harry Vardon Trophy as European number one.
As things stand, McIlroy would be overtaken by US Open champion Fitzpatrick, a two-time winner of the event, who must finish solo second at worst and hope the Holywood star finishes outside the top seven to become European number one for the first time.
The Englishman added a five-under 67 to his opening 65 to match Hatton and share the halfway lead on 12-under par, three shots clear of Spain's Adri Arnaus and Sweden's Alex Noren.
McIlroy was level par for the day and struggling to get any momentum before he birdied the 16th and 17th, then ripped a 225-yard four-iron to less than three feet at the 536-yard last — "probably the best swing I've made all week" — to set up a closing eagle three.
Asked if the 18th hole had changed his mindset going into the weekend, McIlroy said: "Yeah, 100 per cent. Pretty mediocre golf for the first 33 holes, and then something sort of clicked. Whatever it is, I need to bottle it for the weekend.
"It was nice to finish with a flourish there and put myself a little closer to the guys. You never know, that finish here on Friday could be key to something that happens over the next 36 holes.
"Fitz is obviously making it more difficult for me. I don't know what the permutations are, but as long as he keeps playing well, I'm going to have to play better.
"It's a good challenge coming up the last 36 holes, and I at least feel like I've still got something to play for here, so I'm excited for that."
Shane Lowry made five birdies, a bogey and a double bogey six in a two-under 70 to move up to 24th on one-under and hopes to make a move over the weekend on a course that's playing far tougher than in previous years due to thick rough.
“The game was better today but I am still making too many silly mistakes,” said Lowry.
“I’m not alone, as we’re finding the course a lot more difficult compared to previous years, and while I feel as though I know my way around this golf course pretty good, I was disappointed as I was yesterday, as I am not used to shooting over par around here.
“In the years I’ve played here I would usually find the course pretty much straight forward, so much so I can comfortably work my way around here but yesterday was a struggle and I just made it to finish even today with that birdie at the last.
“So, I am making a handful of mistakes a day that at this time of year they do get to you a bit more than maybe if it was the start of the year.
“Saying that, it was again a nice way to finish and if I can get to four, five or six-under tomorrow it will give myself a chance to have a decent week.”
Like Power, McIlroy and Lowry, Maguire has had a magnificent 2022 and while she will finish the year in the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana next week, she's chasing a $2 million payday in the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida.
The Co Cavan star (27) made five birdies in a second successive, three-under 69 to share seventh place in six-under, seven shots behind Lydia Ko who shot six-under 66 to lead by five shots from Hyo Joo Kim 13-under.
“Yeah, there's obviously a lot of people with a lot of pressure on them this week,” Maguire said. “There's a few things up in the air, so I'm going to kind of stay under the radar, do my thing, try to give myself as many chances as possible and see what we can do over the weekend.”
As for the possibility of winning the biggest first prize in women’s golf, she knows it would be special.
"$2 million is more money than I've ever seen in my life," said Maguire who turns 28 later this month. "I probably would take care of my family. They've given me a lot over the years, so it would be nice to give back. I suppose it's a nice timing coming up to Christmas.
“It is mine and my twin sister's birthday on November 30th, so I guess I would have to get her a pretty nice birthday present.”
