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Rory McIlroy kept his challenge on track at the Emirates Australian Open with consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th holes of Royal Sydney Golf Club to finish with a two under par 70.
Having slipped down as low as 9-under, McIlroy is back to 12-under the card reducing Adam Scott’s lead to four shots, who finished in 68 strokes.
However playing partner on day three, Adam Scott, is still on the verge of making history like no other Australian golfer has ever before and is just over 24 hours away from attempting to claim the rare Australian golf Triple Crown, Scott also has the opportunity to go one better – and take out the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Order of Merit in the same year.
In 2005 at age 34 Robert Allenby became the first person to claim the illustrious Triple Crown, however didn't meet minimum eligibility criteria for the Order of Merit title.
As such the PGA Tour of Australasia’s 2005 moneylist was taken out by a young up-and-coming Queensland Professional; Adam Scott.
“What Adam has already achieved over the last four weeks is remarkable,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia referring to not only his Australian PGA and Masters wins but also his World Cup of Golf title.
“It’s already been a history-making year for the US Masters champion and tomorrow Adam has another chance to do what no other person has ever done.”
“On behalf of all of Adam’s fellow PGA and PGA Tour of Australasia Members I wish him the best of luck.”
Already leading the 2013 PGA Tour of Australasia moneylist, 33-year-old Scott is now a certainty to take home the Norman Von Nida Order of Merit Medal with his nearest rival missing the cut at Royal Sydney.
With the Order of Merit title, Scott will also move to within the top 10 of the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Career Moneylist, currently led by Peter Senior.
Defending Emirates Australian Open champion Peter Senior took out last year’s Norman Von Nida Order of Merit Medal, with Greg Chalmers claiming the top spot in 2011 courtesy of his two wins at the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open.
Other winners of the prestigious title include Geoff Ogilvy (2010), Craig Parry (1995, 2002,2007), Robert Allenby (1992 and 1994), Greg Norman (1978, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988) and Jack Newton (1979.)
