McIlroy storms share of lead in Canada

McIlroy plays the Canadian Open for the first time Canadian Open third-round leaderboard-13 W Simpson (US), R McIlroy (NI), M Kuchar (US); -12 A Hadwin (Can), S Lowry (Ire), B Snedeker (USA); -10 H Stenson (Swe); -9 M Hughes (Can) Other selected: -8 G McDowell (NI); -7 D Willett (Eng); -6 J Thomas (USA), D Johnson (USA); -2 B Koepka (US)

Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland shot six-under-par 64 and earned a share of the lead in the final round of the Canadian Open.

McIlroy, 30, hit six birdies moving to 13 among Americans Webb Simpson and Matt Kuchar.

The Canadian Adam Hadwin, Shane Lowry from Ireland and Brandt Snedeker from the US are all a shot behind the leaders.

"The wind was up, the circumstances were a bit trickier, but I remained aggressive," McIlroy told Sky Sports.

"I stayed with my game plan and hit the driver of the first one and just tried to really bring it to this side.

" I said on Friday that I still felt that there were scores. It was mild due to the rain at the start of the week and it was nice to take advantage of the good game and to allow myself to try to win on Sunday. "

The event for the first time playing quadruple champion McIlroy pursues his second title in 2019 after winning the players' championship in March.

He showed his intention with a bird on it first hole of the day before two more on the front 9. After the turn, three more followed to trouble him after he lost five shots of the leaders after the second round.

Lowry is only one shot behind with nine consecutive birdies being front nine.

World number two Dustin Johnson is six under while number one Brooks Koepka, who is trying to win a third consecutive US Open title next week, is there are two below.