McIlroy well placed to attack at the K Club

4:48 PM ET

Tournament host Rory McIlroy got everything he wanted apart from the weather as he moved into pole position to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for the first time at The K Club.

McIlroy had missed the cut in his home event for the last three years, but added a second round of 70 to his opening 67 to head into the third round just a shot off the lead shared by Masters champion Danny Willett and Scotland’s Marc Warren.

And, despite failing to engage the extra gear he felt necessary to claim a first win of the season, the four-time major winner found himself with a three-shot lead with three holes to play before play was suspended due to darkness after two delays for bad weather.

“I think they made the right call,” said the 27-year-old, who was involved in a lengthy discussion with a rules official on the 16th tee before play was finally abandoned for the day.

“It was getting dark out there. I struggled to read my putt on 15 and wasn’t really comfortable to hit the tee shot on 16. Actually the tee shot would have been okay to hit I think, but I didn’t feel the point to hit one tee shot and come back tomorrow morning anyway to play the second shot.

“I don’t feel like we delayed it too much by not hitting that tee shot. I think they made the right decision and I’m happy that I can go out there in the morning and hopefully hit that tee shot in the sunshine.

“I’ve got two par fives in the last three holes to try and get …

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