Rory McIlroy is one shot off the pace as Matt Fitzpatrick holds narrow lead ahead of final round at Italian Open

Matt Fitzpatrick heads into the ultimate spherical of the DS Vehicles Italian Open with a one-shot lead however has Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai respiration down his neck.

US Open champion Fitzpatrick coped brilliantly with the blustery situations at Marco Simone Golf and Nation Membership on Saturday and closed his third-round 69 with a birdie to guide on his personal.

World quantity two McIlroy and Englishman Rai sit one shot behind Fitzpatrick in a tie for second on 9 underneath after contrasting rounds.

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Midway chief McIlroy combined three birdies with three bogeys in his 71, which he completed with a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th.

Rai, in the meantime, fired two eagles and two birdies in a flawless 65 to make an enormous transfer up the leaderboard.

Fitzpatrick, who bounced again from a front-nine bogey with birdies on the tenth, twelfth and 18th, admitted it will be particular to get his fingers on the trophy.

He stated: “It might imply the world. I really like coming to play the Italian Open.

“I really like the nation. I really like taking part in golf right here. The followers are improbable and to win tomorrow can be a terrific feeling.”

McIlroy, who like Fitzpatrick might be hoping to symbolize Europe when the Ryder Cup is hosted at this venue subsequent 12 months, is aware of he faces a troublesome job on Sunday.

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He stated: “I feel nationwide opens are fairly essential issues in our recreation. I’ve been fairly lucky that I’ve received a number of of them.

“This is able to be one other nice one so as to add to the listing. So huge incentive tomorrow to exit and play effectively.

“I do know will probably be a troublesome day. Fitzpatrick could be very strong. These are the type of situations that he relishes. He’s going to be powerful to beat.”

Rai was happy together with his day’s work, saying: “I hit a number of fairways, which is essential this week. Hit a number of good iron pictures and made some key putts as effectively immediately.

“Putts across the flip, seven and eight for par, and made eagle on the ninth and twelfth, and that helps hold the spherical going. I performed very properly total.”

France’s Victor Perez, American Kurt Kitayama and Australian Lucas Herbert have been in a three-way tie for fourth on eight underneath.