McIlroy began the day 4 pictures again at eight underneath par however birdied the primary after which had an eagle three on the par-five second to nearly eradicate Spaun’s benefit.
After a bogey at seven, he joined the leaders with a birdie on the eighth and remained in prime spot, regardless of persistent challenges from Spaun and fellow Individuals Akshay Bhatia and Tom Hoge.
He seized solo first place with an amazing 14-foot birdie putt on the eleventh simply moments earlier than play was suspended at 17:15 GMT due to the chance of lightning.
When play lastly resumed 4 hours later, McIlroy instantly raced right into a three-shot lead with a birdie on the twelfth whereas Spaun bogeyed the eleventh.
A ragged bogey on the 14th allowed Spaun to shut the hole as the stress elevated round this well-known course.
The four-time main winner then missed quick birdie probabilities on the fifteenth and sixteenth with Spaun becoming a member of him at 12 underneath with a tap-in birdie on the par-five sixteenth.
The 34-year-old American confirmed nice contact on the inexperienced to navigate the notorious island gap seventeenth in par, whereas McIlroy managed to two-putt from 70 toes on the 18th, puffing out his cheeks with aid as his four-foot par putt sank amid the gloom.
Spaun’s method to the final additionally got here up quick, leaving himself 30 toes to win a career-changing title. He appeared devastated as his ball stopped inches in need of dropping into the outlet.
He’ll get a second likelihood although. After a marathon Sunday, he’ll be a part of McIlroy on the sixteenth tee on Monday for a three-hole play-off.
