Mark Blinch/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) plays his shot from the seventh tee during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club on June 08, 2019 in Hamilton, Canada.

By Christopher Powers
For the first time in 12 starts this season, Rory McIlroy missed the cut last week at the Memorial Tournament, failing to recover from a first-round 75. It came as a bit of a surprise, as McIlroy has been a model of consistency this season, having finished T-9 or better in nine of his previous 10 events.

Judging by his first 54 holes of the RBC Canadian Open, the MC at Muirfield Village was a minor speed bump in an otherwise stellar season. After rounds of 67 and 66, McIlroy vaulted to the top of the leader board on Saturday with a six-under 64 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, putting him at 13-under 197.

“I controlled my ball pretty well today. I drove it well,” said McIlroy, who will be in the final pairing on Sunday. “Drove it in the fairway for the most part, which you need to do around here. That’s something I didn’t do last week in the Memorial. Big improvement there.

“And then from there, just keep giving myself chances and picking off the birdies when I can. I did that well today. I stayed patient. Made a couple really good up and downs on the back nine when I needed to.

“You know, all added up to a great score and gives me a chance to win tomorrow.”

McIlroy is looking for his second win this season, his first coming at the Players Championship in March. A victory would be the 16th of his career on the PGA Tour.

He’s tied at the top with Webb Simpson (67) and Matt Kuchar (69). Shane Lowry, Brandt Snedeker and Canada’s Adam Hadwin are tied for fourth at 12-under 198. Henrik Stenson is alone in seventh at 10 under and Mackenzie Hughes, another Canadian, is at nine under.