Top Scot Robert MacIntyre is out to spoil Rory McIlroy’s historic quest heading to the final round of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
MacIntyre brilliantly holed a 72-footer for birdie at the second and capped his round in draining a 20-footer for an eagle ‘3’ at the seventh before a dropped shot at the last in his round of 67 to be sharing third place on 12-under par.
The Oban lefty is just two back of McIlroy, also with a 67, who’s at 14-under par and with McIlroy, not only out to win back-to-back but become the first in 13-years to savour a triple victory treat at the DP World.
McIlroy arrived back in Dubai after capturing the CJ Cup in Las Vegas and is now staring at a 30th pro career victory and, if successful, it would be a maiden triple victory by anyone in the 13-year history at the Tour’s season-ender.
From 72ft 🤯@robert1lefty with a magnificent putt at the 4th.#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/2gP0QjpeTI
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 20, 2021
He said: “I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m right where I want to be. I want to be contending on Sundays in golf tournaments, and feel like I’m back to playing the way I should and the way that will get me back contending. I’m excited. I’m excited to go out there and try to pick up another one”.
McIlroy’s ‘save of the day’ was that island green-like par-3 17th when his ball stopped short of finding the drink but rather than risk any injury hitting off the rocks, the four-time major winner saved face in taking a penalty drop.
It was two-years ago MacIntyre’s parents gathered around him for a photo shoot following his 2019 ‘Rookie of the Year’ effort. McIntyre’s parents are again here this week and their 25-year-old is keen on a second Dubai trophy picture.
MacIntyre said: “I’m delighted where I am on the board and at the end of the day one bad shot there at the last doesn’t define a round.
“I’m playing great and there’s a couple of things I am heading to range to work on and get them sorted out for tomorrow.
“It would be nice to win a second trophy here at the DP World and I know what I need to do. I’m two back of Rory so I need to play good golf, stay relaxed and just enjoy it.
“I’ve not been in contention for some time, so I’ve got the juices flowing again and I’m hoping tomorrow is going to be good. I’ve got my mum and day here this week so the whole teams here”.
And Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest signed for a 73 to drop back to four-under and needing a low final round to be assured of earning a 2022 Open Championship tee time by finishing top-30 on the Race to Dubai money list.
Forrest is currently projected to end his winning season at 42nd in season earnings.
