Hill Outplays McIlroy Who He Declares ‘A Class Act’.

9 months ago by Comments Off on Hill Outplays McIlroy Who He Declares ‘A Class Act’.

Scotland’s Calum Hill could not have been more pleased not only playing along four-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic winnner Rory McIlroy but finishing ahead of the four-time major-winner of day three of the Rolex Series event.

Hill, and competing this week without official PING endorsement since turning pro in 2017, grabbed seven birdies in a ‘moving day’ 67 to end the round at eight-under and sharing sixth place on the host Emirate course.

McIlroy, in contrast, continues to get out of first gear in an event he has won the past two years and adding a 69 to earlier scores of 70 and 71 to be T12th at six-under.

Hill, and now playing a ‘free agent’ was naturally delighted with his ‘moving day’ effort.

“It was very good. Played really nice pretty much all day and made some putts, so really happy”, said the affable Scot.

“It was my first time playing with Rory and he’s a really nice guy. He was very easy to play with, he’s quick and was very sociable – it was good fun.

“I was pretty excited being out with him for the first time in a big event and knew it was going to be a lot of fun with all the crowds and it making you feel as though you are in the mix. I enjoyed it a lot.

“I think it helped having Connor [Syme] in the group as well and, though he had a tough day, unfortunately, he’s a class act.

“Yesterday I had no momentum but today I felt good and had some momentum and I hit it significantly better than yesterday and hopefully it will be the same tomorrow.

“I felt a little bit off yesterday but today I felt good and it went well. I’ll rest and recover and hopefully I can go out tomorrow and play well again. It is a better position than when I started the day.

“It’s not necessarily inspiration when you are playing with someone like Rory. But Connor and I both said it was interesting to see some of the lines he was taking out there.

“I don’t watch him on the range and that is the first time I’ve really seen him hit balls up close and it is a lot higher than I hit my golf ball (smiling).

“He hit a really good drive on 17 and it finished right behind the hole. It was back-left flag, but it went through the green and he must have had a five-yard chip. That’s an extra 25 yards that I don’t have. I kept up with him a couple of times, but the carry is such a difference and I need the roll to get anywhere near. He’s got a few different options than us mere mortals.

“I think it helped because it was windy today and he couldn’t unload, so to speak. I didn’t feel I was getting absolutely whopped in terms of losing length. It was a good day and I enjoyed it. He just said ‘well done, good luck tomorrow and play well’. It was nice meeting him. He is a very pleasant person.

“I’ve been putting strong so far this week and I think the stats will show that. I had a really good day in terms of ball-striking the first day and my driving stats aren’t quite accurate because I lost a ball up a palm tree on the first day.

“If I can keep the putter going the way it has been and hit it decent, I’ll be able to give myself a chance to shoot a decent number again tomorrow”.

And helping Hill on the greens is his decision to go with a LAB -Link. 1 putter.

“It’s the blade version. I was previously contracted in to the putter (with Ping) and using this one is something I feel is really natural”, said Hill.

“It feels really good in my hands, I feel the start line is good and I also feel the pace is really good. Basically, unless I misread it, it has a good chance. It ain’t going anywhere soon.

“I think I tried about ten. I had a few Odysseys, a few Scottys, a couple of L.a.b.s. That was the winner and it was a good choice, I’d say.

“I’m in a better position going into tomorrow than I was starting out today and, if I can repeat today, then that would be great. We’ll see.”



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