Tournament host Rory McIlroy opened up a three shot lead at nine under par over US Masters champion Danny Willett at the Irish Open in Straffan on Saturday (21st May), where third round play was suspended twice due to bad weather.

Tournament host at the Irish Open, Rory Mcllroy, sat one shot off the lead going into Saturday's action.

One of those leading was Masters Champion, Danny Willett.

He was already 1-over for his third round before he found the drink at 7.

Willett did scramble for a bogey, yet was unable to pick up a shot there on in shooting a 74.

Missed birdies putts such as these at 12 proving the Englishman's downfall.

That opened the door for Mcllroy to surge up the leaderboard.

His first birdie of the day coming at the 4th after this approach.

The rain forced a change of trousers for the World No.3, who missed a birdie putt on 8.

As rain came again Mcllroy was three shots ahead of the field at the 16th.

The Northern Irishmen will then play 21 holes on the final day with a three shot lead over Willett and co.