Current World No. 1 Rory McIlroy insisted it would be ‘foolish’ to write off Tiger Woods following Woods’ indifferent effort at the Phoenix Open.
A day after Woods recorded his worst round since turning pro, Mcllroy stormed his way towards a first victory of the season, and also a second Dubai Desert Classic title in six years, after sizzling six-under par 66 to move four shots clear of his rivals on the Emirates Club course.
Denmark’s Morten Orum Madsen also carded a 66 to be in second place at 16-under par as the 26-year old looks to win on Tour for a second time.
Former World No. 1 Lee Westwood birdied his closing two holes in a 69 to be third at 14-under and with Scotland’s and double Dubai defending champ Stephen Gallacher (70) among four players at 13-under par.
A shot further back, and needing a top-three finish to secure the likelihood of a maiden Masters invitation, is Marc Warren signing for a 73 to be among eight players locked in eighth place at 12-under par.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy watching Marc Warren tee off during the third round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
McIlroy clearly is showing no signs of concern ahead of Tuesday’s Dublin High Court showdown with a former management company, in racing to 19-under par through eight hole but then stalling with eight straight pars.
The four-time Major winner birdied the 17th and then holed a testing 12-foot for par at the last, and in a round of just 25 putts.
McIlroy is now looking to capture the event after breaking through in the 2009 event to capture a maiden pro career title.
But as the golf world is still aghast following Woods crashing to last place with an 82 at TPC Scottsdale, McIlroy as the game’s current top-ranked player was not about to write off the game’s longest-ever World No. 1.
He said: “Tiger just needs to play a bit more competitive golf. I played a match with him in November (Seminole GC in West Palm Beach, Florida) and he played absolutely fantastic.
“As well, he has probably not played in conditions like they had in Phoenix for a long while, so it can be tough.
“It would hard also given it is his first event of the year as there was so much attention and scrutiny going on around him, so I would read too much into it.
“Besides Tiger’s too great a champion and everyone knows he’s trying his best, and practicing hard when he’s at home.
“But then just more time on the golf course is all he needs.”
And while McIlroy was supporting Woods, Warren was singing the praise of McIlroy who he competed alongside for the second time in as many events in Dubai, having been grouped with McIlroy on day three of last November’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship at nearby Jumeriah Estates.
Warren said: “It was certainly a different atmosphere than playing in a normal group, and the fact I was last out today with him then it was not a massive difference.
“Though it was pretty cool and pretty special playing alongside the World No. 1.
“But he is a most normal person and has not changed a bit since I first played alongside Rory at a US Open qualifier in 2008 at Walton Heath.
“He is very personable as we were chatting away all day and it is to his credit Rory hasn’t changed because in this environment we’ve all seen players who attain a bit of success change, and that’s not always nice to see.
“So for someone like Rory who is that successful and to be so normal, is amazing as he also normal off the golf course and all credit to him.”
However Warren needs now to finish top-three to be assured of joining McIlroy in this year’s Masters.
