Hurly Long will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the 2023 Horizon Irish Open but must hold off a stellar chasing pack which includes Rory McIlroy if he is to claim his maiden DP World Tour title on Sunday.
With all three members of the final group slipping backwards at The K Club on Saturday afternoon, the 28-year-old took full advantage, carding four birdies and two bogeys in a third-round 70 to reach 13 under par and hit the front.
Halfway co-leader Jordan Smith was Long's nearest challenger on 12 under after closing his 73 with a birdie, with World Number Two McIlroy a shot further back following his stunning 66 earlier in the day.
The Northern Irishman, who is bidding to win his second Irish Open title after tasting victory at this venue in 2016, produced some of his very best golf, carding seven birdies and a single bogey in front of bumper crowds.
Long began the day two shots off the lead but soon closed the gap courtesy of back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth.
The German's first bogey of the day at the next hole saw him lose his share of the lead but he pulled off one of the shots of the day on the ninth to return to 13 under.
Long lifted his approach to within two feet before slotting in the putt to close the front nine with a birdie and grab the outright lead.
Another bogey arrived at the 11th, dropping Long into a share for first place on 12 under.
Six successive pars followed before Long finished his round with a two-putt birdie from 45 feet, having narrowly missed his eagle try.
Long has struggled for form in 2023, with joint-30th finishes at the Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa and the Singapore Classic his best results so far.
But he has impressed in Ireland this week and is looking forward to the final round.
Speaking about the prospect of playing alongside crowd favourite McIlroy, Long said: "It's exciting.
"Last year at The Belfry I was leading after two rounds, and there were ginormous crowds out there as well.
"So I can take something from that. I've got a good attitude. I know it's going to be way more difficult tomorrow than it was even today but you can feed off that just as well.
"So I'm just looking forward to it either way.
"I was happy with my round overall. It was nice to finish on a birdie."
Englishman Smith, who mixed three birdies with a double bogey and two bogeys, said: "It's going to be good fun playing with Rory.
"But I've just got to stick to my own game. Ball-striking is fine. Just a few unlucky breaks today.
"I look forward to it. It will be great. The crowds will be great. It will be loud and just hopefully the weather sticks."
