Shane Lowry might not have had his A-game, but he still carded a two-under 68 to keep his hopes of victory alive in the RBC Canadian Open.

Shane Lowry is emerging as one of the big favourites for next week’s US Open after he opened with an impressive six-under 64 in the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto.

Rory McIlroy shrugged off two closing bogeys and insisted he still has time to bed in a new driver and contend for his third RBC Canadian Open victory.

Rory McIlroy made a big move with a third-round 65 but finds himself seven shots behind Ryder Cup teammate Robert MacIntyre heading into the final day of the RBC Canadian Open.

Rory McIlroy insists it will be a win for him alone if he comes through a final-round shootout and completes a hat-trick of wins and clinches his 24th PGA TOUR title at the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto.

Rory McIlroy birdied his last two holes to lurk just three shots off the lead at halfway as he bids to become the first player to win the RBC Canadian Open three years in a row.

Shane Lowry birdied two of his last three holes to chisel out a level par 72 in the RBC Canadian Open, which bodes well for his US Open chances next week.

Rory McIlroy admits he must focus on golf rather than boardroom battles after describing this week’s press conference as “the most uncomfortable” he’d felt in 12 months.