Shane Lowry is optimistic he can complete the job after securing a four-shot lead to take into the final round of The Open Championship.
The Irishman's 63 on Saturday put him well clear of Tommy Fleetwood, who was in turn two shots in front of third-placed J.B. Holmes.
Lowry would be a hugely popular winner at Royal Portrush, but he was reminded after his third round of a similar scenario three years ago at the U.S. Open at Oakmont, when he also led by four after 54 holes.
On that occasion, a closing 76 saw him finish in a tie for second. This time Lowry is determined to last the distance and carry off the Claret Jug.
He said: "I hope I’m going to be able to deal with it better. It’s going to be difficult. I know it's going to be hard.
"But I think I'm ready for it. Hopefully I'm ready for it."
Speaking on Sky Sports , Lowry said: "My mind's a bit fuzzy. I just really enjoyed today. Obviously, I played great golf. The crowd were incredible. And I just felt so comfortable out there. I'm hoping I feel that comfortable out there tomorrow. I know it's going to be a tough 24 hours ahead of me, but you know what, there's nowhere I'd rather be – a four-shot lead in an Open Championship in Ireland.
"Tomorrow's going to be incredible, regardless of what happens."
READ | Lowry shoots stunning 63 to seize control of Open Championship
Lowry reached 16 under par for the tournament, and it would be a first major for the 32-year-old if he closes out the win.
"I felt so in control of my game. There are very few times in golf when you get into that position and it's just great when it happens," he added.
"Every time I hit the ball I just wanted to hole it because of the roar – I just wanted to hear that roar again.
Most incredible day
"Honestly, that's the most incredible day I've ever had on the golf course. I honestly can't explain what it was like," said a beaming Lowry.
"I said to Bo [caddie Brian Martin] walking off the 17th tee, 'We might never have a day like this on the golf course again. So let's enjoy this next half hour'. And that's what I did. The crowd was incredible. I just can't believe what it was like."
Lowry has never won a major but he does have experience of holding a four-shot lead going into the last round of one. He did so at Oakmont in 2016 and shot a 76 on the final day as victory slipped from his grasp, but he claims to have learned from that.
READ | Oakmont disappointment won't affect Open bid, says Lowry
"I said to Bo when I finished, look at the leaderboard, four ahead. I said to Bo, 'At least I won't have to answer any questions about Oakmont, I'm four ahead going into the final round of a major'," Lowry joked.
"Obviously I learned a lot that day. I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont. I'm going to learn a lot about myself tomorrow [Sunday]. I think I learned a few things that day about playing in the final round of a major with a lead, that you need to just hang in until the very last minute.
"You never know what can happen."
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