22 Jun 2014

Willett's ace and record 63 closes gap on Ilonen

6:55 am on 22 June 2014

Finn Mikko Ilonen's overnight lead was cut from two shots to one after England golfer Danny Willett claimed a hole-in-one on the way to a course record eight-under 63 in the Irish Open third round in County Cork.

Willett, winner of the BMW International in Germany in 2012, holed his eight-iron tee shot on the 165-yard par three seventh and also posted six birdies, four of them in the last five holes.

Ilonen, who set a course record 64 on Friday, carded a third-round 69 for a total of 201 at the Fota Island Resort.

Former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell (69) of Northern Ireland was third on 203 but only six shots separated the top 20 players.