Rory McIlroy is relishing the prospect of challenging for a second Horizon Irish Open title on Sunday after catapulting himself into contention with a stunning 66 on Moving Day.
The World Number Two went into Saturday's third round with work to do after scores of 69 and 70 on Thursday and Friday respectively had left him some way off the pace.
And the Northern Irishman, who was followed by enormous crowds at The K Club - the venue where he lifted this title in 2016 - produced some of his very best golf, with seven birdies and a single bogey moving him to 11 under par.
With the final groups struggling to make progress on day three, McIlroy's impressive score has left him right in the mix ahead of Sunday's final round.
The 34-year-old said: "It's really exciting.
"Last night I thought I was maybe a little bit too far behind and out of it but I played a really good round of golf today to get myself back in it and I'm excited to have another opportunity (to win the Irish Open) tomorrow."
McIlroy got off to an ideal start with a birdie on the first and picked up another shot on the fourth, but then saw his birdie putt on the ninth horseshoe around the hole and stay out.
The four-time Major Champion's eagle chip from the back of the tenth green also caught the edge of the hole and stayed out, but he made no mistake with the birdie putt.
He made further birdies at the 12th and 13th to get to double figures under par and close to within three shots of the lead.
McIlroy dropped his first shot of the day at the par-five 16th as he found the water, but he was perhaps fortunate to limit the damage to just a bogey after his fourth shot hit a rock and bounced on to the green.
But he responded brilliantly with closing birdies at the 17th and 18th to sign for a superb 66.
McIlroy added: "Really pleased to bounce back on 17 and 18 with two birdies after the bogey on 16.
"I felt like I maybe needed to go a couple lower to get myself right in it, but the guys at the top haven't really got away from the field that much today. Excited to put myself right there and have a chance tomorrow."
