Rory McIlroy will today look to win the Canadian Open for the third successive time in Toronto later today.
Were he to be successful it would be his 24th career win on the PGA Tour and would come in what has been a controversial week for the sport.
The tournament has been overshadowed by the shock announcement of the deal between the PGA TOUR, the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund on Tuesday with McIlroy admitting to feeling that he was the "sacrificial lamb" in the battle between the Saudi's and the golf world.
McIlroy currently sits just two shots off the lead, alongside five others on twelve-under-par, all chasing leader CT Pan from Chinese Tapei.
Rory McIlroy comments after Canadian Open third round
"I've never won a tournament three times in a row. I felt like last year, the win wasn't just for me. It was for a few other things. But this one, this year, if I were able to get over the line, will be solely for me," he said after his third round.
"I seem to play better when there's a little bit of noise going in the world of golf.
"It's really nice to get inside the ropes and just concentrate on my job at the end of the day, which is trying to get the ball around the golf course.
"It's been a nice reprieve with everything else going on and happy to be playing well."
McIlroy described the ongoing controversy as "drama" and being part of a "soap opera" before stating that he feels sorry for Canadian Open organisers.
"As I said at the start of the week, I feel terrible for RBC and this tournament because they're such a great supporter of the TOUR, and they have just been really unlucky the last couple years with all the noise surrounding their tournament."
The Holywood man will be looking to have a strong start on the course this evening and pick up even more birdies than the six he shot during his third round.
Shane Lowry is tied for 24th on five-under-par.
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