Erik van Rooyen leads Irish Open as home challenge fades

South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen took the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open by the scruff of the neck at Ballyliffin today as the home challenge faded with disappointing rounds from Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy.

A sparkling bogey-free third round of 66, with all six of his birdies coming on the front nine of the Glashedy Links has put van Rooyen into a four-shot lead on 14-under-par going into Sunday’s final round, within touching distance of a maiden European Tour victory at his 34th attempt.