Golf: Brilliant McIlroy sets Quail Hollow course record

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland takes his shot out of the bunker on the fifth hole during round three at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on May 16, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. -- PHOTO: AFP
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland takes his shot out of the bunker on the fifth hole during round three at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on May 16, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. -- PHOTO: AFP

CHARLOTTE (AFP) - World No. 1 Rory McIlroy fired an electrifying 11-under par 61 on Saturday to take command of the US PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship.

The 26-year-old from Northern Ireland had 11 birdies with no bogeys to break his own Quail Hollow course record of 62.

His hopes of reaching golf's magical number of 59 ended with pars at 17 and 18.

But the finish didn't mar a spectacular round that included streaks of four birdies in a row from the seventh through 10th holes and five birdies on the trot from the 12th through 16th.

The Quail Hollow course record of 62 was established by McIlroy in the final round in 2010 - when he captured his first US PGA Tour title.

Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge matched the mark in the second round last year.

McIlroy's effort gave him an 18-under total of 198 and a three-shot lead when he walked off the course.

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