McIlroy surges into contention at Quail Hollow

WASHINGTON: Rory McIlroy charged into contention at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, with his four-under-par round of 67 bringing him within a shot of leader Xander Schauffele heading into Sunday´s final round.

Schauffele, who held a four-stroke lead heading into Saturday´s round, shot a one-under 70 to leave him 12-under through 54 holes. A week that began with yet more talk of McIlroy´s role in trying to bridge golf´s divide with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, with confusion over a potential return to the PGA Tour´s policy board, will end with the world number two battling for his second title of the season.

It would also be his fourth win at the Charlotte, North Carolina course, scene of his first victory on the PGA Tour back in 2010. McIlroy´s decision to compete two weeks ago at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event was seen by some as simply a gesture of commitment to the PGA Tour from a player who has positioned himself as one of its biggest defenders.

But McIlroy insisted that the tournament, which he won with Shane Lowry, would help him find form after his disappointing showing at the Masters and his performance in North Carolina has, so far, entirely justified that decision.

The Northern Irishman was the only player to go bogey-free in Saturday´s third round and he was at his very best with driver in hand. McIlroy is the best in the field in strokes gained off the tee and in driving distance this week and his opening birdie came on the par-4 fifth when he hammered his drive 341 yards down the fairway before landing his chip four feet from the hole.