Rory McIlroy remains in prime position to challenge for a second Amgen Irish Open title after staying within two strokes of the halfway lead on home soil.
The world No 3 followed an opening-round 68 with a one-under 70 on Friday morning at Royal County Down, carding an eagle, a birdie and two bogeys to head into the weekend on four under. McIlroy - the 2016 champion - began on the back nine and failed to take full advantage of surprisingly benign conditions, bogeying the par-three 14th for the second day running before rolling in from 27 feet to birdie the par-four next.
But it was just a matter of making sure I was here for the weekend and give myself a chance. Sort of job done for the first two days and turn my attention to the weekend.' Manassero topped the leaderboard by eagling two of the par-fives in his third-round 66, giving the Italian a one-shot advantage over overnight leader Todd Clements and fellow Englishman Laurie Canter.
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