US Open 2019: Rory McIlroy needs ‘great round’ to win first major title since 2014

McIlroy ended the third round five shots short of leader Gary Woodland

Rory McIlroy needs a big finish to stand a chance of winning (Getty)

Rory McIlroy admits he will need a great round to secure a second US Open title after struggling to find top gear at Pebble Beach.

McIlroy began the third round four shots off the lead held by Gary Woodland and ended it five adrift of the American after a low-key 70 featuring three birdies and two bogeys.

"I think it is in there. I definitely think I can shoot 65 or 66 on this golf course," said McIlroy, who won the US Open by eight shots at Congressional in 2011 but has not lifted a major title since the 2014 US PGA.

"That's probably what it is going to take tomorrow. Everything has got to be on. You've got to get off to a fast start, you've got to play the par fives well and you need to hit it in the fairways all day. It's difficult. It is possible, but it is difficult.

"I've hit the ball in the fairway for the most part, I've been smart, I've hit to the right part of the greens. Today I felt like I didn't get as much out the round as I could have but at the same time at a US Open, you have to hang around.

"As much as you like to think you get four opportunities a year to win these things (majors), you might only get one or two depending on how you play. I've got a little opportunity tomorrow.

"I'm obviously got some ground to make up, but at the same time, it's tough. Leaders can make bogeys, make mistakes, and I'm going to have to rely on them doing that. But I need a great round out of myself."

McIlroy had wanted to plot a "boring" course to a second US Open title and got largely what he wished for, carding three birdies and two bogeys in a round of 70.

"Even though I'm still a few off the lead, it's a wonderful opportunity for me to go out there and I guess try to add to my major tally," he added.

"I've been very pleased with how I've played all week. I felt, for the most part, today I did the right things and I need to do 18 more holes of that, but just get a little bit more out of the round tomorrow than I did today.

"I'm expecting the conditions to be similar, but I could see the course just getting a little firmer and a little faster and just being a touch trickier."

PA