Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ryan Fox carded a flawless third round at the Irish Open to climb within three shots of the lead entering the final day in Straffan, County Kildare.
Fox roared home in his round of six-under 66, the equal best of the day, to improve to a six-way share of fourth place in the DP World Tour event.
His 10-under tally leaves the New Zealander three behind German leader Hurly Long, with England's Jordan Smith and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy holding down second and third spots on the leaderboard.
Three of Fox's birdies came on the last three holes as he returned to some of the form that has been missing in some of his most recent US PGA Tour outings.
Compatriot Daniel Hillier also made some headway on day three, carding a 70 to climb slightly to a share of 21st.
Long also carded 70 but will be feeling the presence of McIlroy, who matched Fox's 66 at the K Club-Ryder course.
"It just felt like a really solid day of golf, giving myself plenty of looks and converting a few, which is probably the difference between the last two days and today," McIroy said.
"A really solid day's play and I needed a little bit of help from the leaders, as well. They haven't gone too far ahead yet. We'll see how they finish, but right back in the tournament, which is great."
- RNZ/ Reuters
