Rory McIlroy started strongly in the third round of the Open, raising hopes of a rousing comeback, but his hopes dissipated ahead of the final day at Royal Liverpool
Eve his outfit suggested defiance, white and peach despite the leaden skies and grim forecast.
And for an hour or so, Rory McIlroy was the most stylish guy in Hoylake.
Three of his first five holes were birdied, the other two produced immaculate pars.
But the anticipated third round charge followed the storyline of his first two days – after the upward gear-shift, the stall.