Q. Thank you very much for joining. Four birdies and rogue-free 66. Reflections on that?
RORY McILROY: It was good. The course I thought was playing a touch easier. We had preferred lies out there and then with the rain, the course played quite soft. Very receptive. Felt like I played well. I sort of weathered a bit of a storm the first few holes it.
A couple nice up-and-downs, and then played very solidly after that. Didn't really make too many mistakes. I had a few chances that I let slip there on the back nine, but got going out there on moving day, shooting 6-under par, trying to keep up with Matteo.
That 6-iron, it was a good yardage, it was off the right. Nice to try to hold it up in the air a little bit. It's a high 6-iron, but it's nice to be able to stop it like that.
Q. What's it like with the crowd?
RORY McILROY: It's amazing. The crowds have been absolutely incredible. I remember being 11, 12 and coming here at The World Match Play and following all my heros at the time.
Yeah, Wentworth is a special place for me, so to give myself another chance here tomorrow, really happy.
Q. What would it mean to you tomorrow to win this for the second time?
RORY McILROY: Since I won here in 2014, I've had a few good chances 245 I've let slip by. Yeah, given myself another chance to win this championship. I'm basically a resident at Wentworth now. Building a house here, too. I love it here. It would be amazing to get my name on the trophy again.
Q. Really solid golf. You looked really in control out there today. How much did the conditions play to your strengths?
RORY McILROY: In a way they did for sure. Having to get through these on and off showers for most of the day. But it brightened up the last few holes and the course definitely was quite receptive. So there's a lot of good scores and birdies out there.
I played well. Another solid day. My lowest score of the week, no bogeys. Just trying to keep up with Matteo, as well. I know I'm going to need another low one tomorrow to try to catch him.
Q. As much as you were concentrating on your hone game, how much did you enjoy the fact that the two alongside you were doing so well, as well?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, I think Billy made seven birdies in the middle of the round. When you're playing in a group like that, it's always great to be a part of.
It's exciting. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Matteo and I played in the final round together in Scotland, played in the final round together last week in Ireland, and looks like we are going to do it again this week.
Obviously it's good to see him back playing the golf that he is and where he's supposed to be, so it's going to be an exciting day.
Q. When you look back to ten years ago, you had a lot of work together. Tomorrow you have a little work to do. How ready are you from the challenge?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, I don't have to come from seven back tomorrow, just three. Hopefully see what Matteo is doing as well and hopefully be the in final group with them.
It's still a tough task, especially with how good he's playing. But if I get off to a fast start, it's game on.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports