First and foremost, Rory’s McIlroy’s back appears to be okay.
McIlroy, who tweaked his upper back Friday during his pre-round warmup, emerged okay on Saturday at the South African Open.
The world’s No. 2 player well enough to run up the leader board and will play in Sunday’s final pairing with 54-hole leader — Englishman Graeme Storm.
McIlroy once again bogeyed the final hole after an errant tee shot to finish at 14-under par, three back of Storm. Both players shot 67s on Saturday at the Glendower Golf Club. England’s Jordan Smith and South African Jbe Kruger will play in the next-to-last pairing. Both worked their way to 13-under par.
Once again, McIlroy produced some sensational golf shots like his approach to the par four seventh from 157 yards out. He threw the shot about 10 feet behind the hole and it spun back and worked its way into the cup for an eagle two. In all, McIlroy had five birdies and an eagles but took two bogeys, including the closing five at 18.
Round of the day belonged to Italian Eduardo Molinari. He put together nine birdies for 68 and tied the course record. He will start the final 18 five shots behind the leader.
Storm has been the field’s most consistent player as he’s gone 41 straight holes without a bogey. He’s looking for his second career European Tour victory.
