Joakim Lagergren leaps into lead at the K Club

Joakim Lagergren made an eagle at the par-5 18th, nine birdies and a single bogey to record a 10-under 62, reach 12-under and take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Amgen Irish Open.

The Swede holds the course record on The K Club’s Palmer South Course with a 63 but the record for the North Course was set by Darren Clarke at 60.

“I played really well, my putter was obviously really hot. Holed a lot of putts today – did yesterday as well, but didn’t really have my A-game yesterday. Working with my coach yesterday afternoon and obviously found something,” said Lagergren.

“This course is really tricky, I can’t really dream of shooting minus-10 at The K Club. I shot the course record on the other course, minus-nine, so I thought I did it on this course now but it was obviously minus-12, the course record – way off!

“But yeah, Ireland is treating me well.”

France’s Adrien Saddier made seven birdies and one bogey for a 66 and holds solo second place at 11-under.

DP World Tour rankings leader and World Number 2 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland started the day at T50 at 1-under and carded a bogey-free 66 to move into a share of third place at 7-under alongside overnight co-leader Thorbjørn Olesen of Denmark who made three bogeys and shot a 71.

“It was good,” said McIlroy. “I felt like I hit the ball pretty similarly to yesterday, maybe gave myself a few more chances with the approach shots. A couple of good par saves on the back nine and finished well with a couple of birdies on the last three holes.

“Overall, I’m really pleased with the day’s work and it keeps me within touching distance going into the weekend. Obviously the two boys are a little bit ahead of the rest of the pack but I feel like I’m close enough, if I do have a good weekend, to chase them down.”

Also tied in third place are New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier who eagled the 18th and made two bogeys for a 66 and Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia who eagled the par-5 10th and made one bogey for a 65.

France’s Romain Langasque who started the day with the co-lead also eagled the 18th but made a double bogey at the par-4 17th as well as two bogeys for a 74 and moved down into T22 at 4-under.

Spain’s Nacho Elvira who completed the leading trio on Thursday fired four birdies, three bogeys, a triple bogey at the par-4 7th and a double bogey at the par-5 16th for a 76 and a share of 34th place at 2-under.

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