STRAFFAN, Ireland — Ángel Hidalgo made 12 birdies to match a European Tour single-round record and move into second place with a 9-under 63 in the third round of the Irish Open on Saturday, while Adrien Saddier of France took the tournament lead with a 68.
Fan favorite Rory McIlroy also stayed in contention after the Northern Irishman shot a bogey-free 68. The world No. 2 is four strokes behind Saddier’s total of 15-under 201 at The K Club.
McIlroy is tied for fourth with Joakim Lagergren after the Swede lost his overnight lead by shooting a 73. Lagergren’s inconsistent round included four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey.
Alfredo Garcia-Heredia is third and three shots back after he made two eagles in his 67.
Hidalgo’s big day included seven birdies in a row to finish one stroke behind Saddier. The Spaniard became the ninth player to make a dozen birdies in a single round at a European tour event.
“I really felt for a few moments I was playing on the PlayStation, to be honest. Every single shot was directly to the pin,” Hidalgo said.
The only other player to make 12 birdies at The K Club was Darren Clarke, who did so while establishing a course-record 60 in the 1999 European Open.
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