Rory McIlroy in hunt at Quail Hollow
Updated: May 5, 2012, 9:44 PM ET
By Bob Harig | ESPN.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For a rare time Saturday, Rory McIlroy hit a towering tee shot that didn't find the fairway. He bailed out to the right on the par-4 18th at Quail Hollow, sending the spectators for cover. Ryan Hagolorn turned and ducked, the ball hitting him square on his backside, but catching his wallet.
It must have been a pretty hefty one, because the ball bounced back toward the fairway, into a good lie from where McIlroy could advance the ball to the green and conclude a 6-under-par 66 that put him in contention at the Wells Fargo Championship.
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Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesFor Rory McIlroy to take over as world No. 1 on Sunday night, he'll need a tie for seventh with just one other player or better at the Wells Fargo Championship.
McIlroy knows a bit about thick wallets. He just turned 23 on Friday, but according to Golf Digest he ranked 11th in 2011 in an annual list of the game's top earners. More than $8 million in prize money plus another $6 million in endorsements and appearance fees.
After hitting his approach to the green, McIlroy signed his glove for Hagolorn and said, "Sorry!''
"That ball was going into the trees,'' McIlroy said. "I got a lucky break there.''
Few here were sorry to see McIlroy climbing the board Saturday, especially after Tiger Woodsmissed the cut and Phil Mickelson teed off so early that many spectators arrived after he finished.
The game's young star and reigning U.S. Open champion did not disappoint, birdieing his first three holes, shooting a front-nine 32 and adding three more birdies on the back. Only a 3-putt bogey at the 16th kept him from the final twosome on Sunday with 54-hole leader Webb Simpson.
Still, McIlroy likely won't have to shoot a final-round 62 as he did here two years ago to get his second victory at Quail Hollow. He is tied for fourth, two strokes behind Simpson and a shot behind Ryan Moore and D.A. Points. Another 23-year-old, Rickie Fowler, is three shots out of the lead, tied for sixth.
"When you get off to a good start like that, you birdie the first three holes, it gives you momentum early, and it's something you can just go with,'' McIlroy said. "I think that was the key to the round today, to get off to that kind of start.''
It sure helps.
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So does driving it a mile, and mostly in the fairway. According to the PGA Tour's stats, McIlroy hit nine drives more than 300 yards on Saturday, including a 377-yard bomb at the 16th. Of course, he still managed to bogey that hole, but his seemingly effortless ability to get the ball out there is no negative.
"Just trying to turn behind it a little bit more, keep my height,'' he said. "When I do that, I usually connect with it pretty well. I hit a couple of good ones out there, and it was nice to see.''
McIlroy makes it sound so simple, so routine. Of course that is not the case.
John Merrick, 30, now in his sixth year on the PGA Tour without a victory, was paired with McIlroy on Saturday for the first time. He played eight shots worse than his playing partner and dropped to a tie for 42nd place.
He nonetheless used the opportunity to check out the Northern Irishman.
"He's probably one of the best players I've ever played,'' Merrick said. "It was awesome. He hit the ball great. He's a nice guy, fun to play with and fun to watch. I've seen him on TV, but he hits the ball like he should. Almost like watching a video game. He had it going at the start, couple hiccups, but he still made eight birdies. He's an amazing player.
"He's got a great future, going to win a bunch of golf tournaments. I wish I could hit the shots he can. He just stayed really calm, very focused, especially with the crowd yelling for him. He's a got a great temperament. He's got all the pieces.''
McIlroy was surprised on Friday by the arrival of his parents, Gerry and Rosie, who flew up from West Palm Beach to join their son for his birthday. "I walked in for dinner and they were sitting there,'' he said. "They flew in for the weekend, which is a nice surprise.''
A victory on Sunday would not be surprising, although there are plenty of golfers in the mix making the task difficult. There are 10 players within four shots of the lead, including Geoff Ogivly, who snuck up the board with the day's best score, a 65, and Fowler looking for that elusive first win on the PGA Tour.
But McIlroy ought to be the favorite. He will go back to No. 1 in the world ahead ofLuke Donald if he finishes among the top seven, although you know he would prefer much more than that.
"I'll draw on those good memories and those positive thoughts from a couple of years ago,'' he said. "I've had some great experiences on this golf course, and hopefully I can create a few more.''
Bob Harig covers golf for ESPN.com. He can be reached at BobHarig@gmail.com.
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