McIlroy targeting third straight top-five finish

RORY McLLROY will seek his third straight top-five finish at this week’s Portugal Masters after another hugely impressive display in the Madrid Open.

McIlroy carded a final-round 70 at Club de Campo to finish five shots behind Denmark’s Mads Vibe-Hastrup, who fired a closing 67 to finish 16 under par and claim the €148,000 first prize.

The Northern Ireland teenager failed in his bid to become the youngest winner in European Tour history at 18 years and 163 days, but certainly proved his third place in the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews a week earlier was no flash in the pan.

And the former European amateur champion coped admirably with the pressure of being labelled one of the pre-tournament favourites in just his third event as a professional.

“I would have taken fourth when I came here,” admitted McIlroy. “I think I have done well after all that has gone over the last few weeks.

“There was a lot to contend with so coming here and finishing in the top five is pretty good. Every time I got a birdie in the final round, I would give it away in the next couple of holes but I am very happy with the performance this week and that’s me probably into the top 100 on the Order of Merit now so I am happy. Onwards and upwards.”