Ángel Hidalgo Ties Birdie Record and Climbs at the Irish Open
STRAFFAN, Ireland – Golfer Ángel Hidalgo delivered an impressive performance in the third round of the Irish Open, tying a European Tour record with 12 birdies and climbing to second place with a spectacular 63, nine under par. Meanwhile, Frenchman Adrien Saddier took the lead of the tournament after a round of 68. Rory McIlroy, a crowd favorite, also stayed in the fight, completing a bogey-free round with a 68. The world number 2 is four strokes behind Saddier, who has a total of 201, 15 under par, at The K Club. McIlroy shares fourth position with Joakim Lagergren, who lost the lead after a round of 73. Lagergren’s performance included four birdies, three bogeys, and a double bogey. Alfredo Garcia-Heredia is in third place, three strokes behind the leader, after a round of 67 that included two eagles. Hidalgo’s outstanding round included seven consecutive birdies, finishing just one stroke behind Saddier. The Spaniard became the ninth player to achieve a dozen birdies in a single round at a European Tour event.The only other player to achieve 12 birdies at The K Club was Darren Clarke, who set a course record with a 60 at the 1999 European Open.I really felt at times like I was playing on the PlayStation, to be honest. Every shot went straight to the pin.
Ángel Hidalgo
