Rory McIlroy came from out of nowhere on moving day at the Dubai Desert Classic to set up a realistic opportunity of defending his title.
Rory McIlroy carded his lowest moving day score in more than 17 months after coming from out of nowhere to contend at the Dubai Desert Classic.
McIlroy, 34, started the third round of the DP World Tour event a remarkable 10 shots behind the leader Cameron Young.
But by the time McIlroy finished his round he held the outright lead after posting a 9-under 63.
America’s Young later carded a 1-under 71 to regain the lead at 14-under heading into the final day.
He is two clear of McIlroy and Poland’s Adrian Meronk.
The Hojgaard brothers, Haotong Li, Thorbjorn Olesen, Tommy Fleetwood and Alex Fitzptrick are also inside the top-10 but appear too far back to mount a charge.
Joaquin Niemann of LIV Golf, who is vying for a Masters berth, is alone in sixth place. After winning the Australian Open, Niemann has already guaranteed himself a starting spot at this year’s tournament.
Regarding McIlroy, his third round was faultless.
He started off with a birdie and gained additional strokes at 3, 7, 8, and 9. At Emirates Golf Club, he finished with an eagle on the last hole after birdying the 10th and 12th.
What they said…
Asked what keeps driving him, Rory McIlroy explained…
“I think the fact that I turn up every day and still trying to get better, I think the consistency that I’ve shown throughout my career, I’ve never lost the hunger to go out and play better but I’ve never lost the joy of the game, which I think is really important. It’s never felt like a job to me and the day it does feel like a job it is the day I need to give up.”