Rory McIlroy’s declared he’s ready for any eventual Omega Dubai Desert Classic final day showdown with Tiger Woods.

McIlroy kept himself ahead of the chasing pack including Woods who roared into contention with a third day 66 for a share of fifth place at seven under par.

Woods snatched the clubhouse lead as McIlroy was heading down the first and it wasn’t till a birdie at the ninth that McIlroy went to the front at eight-under par.

The current World No. 7 ranked McIlroy then grabbed a further three further birdies, including holing a 12-footer at the last after deciding to lay-up, in a 68 to end the day at 11-under par.

In-form Spaniard Sergio Garcia and South African Thomas Aiken, both with second straight 67s, are at 10-under par.

Woods is tied in fifth with former Irish Open winner, Brett Rumford of Australia (68), Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (69), Dane Anders Hansen (68) and Belfast’s Michael Hoey (67).

Woods won round two of the ‘Battle of the World’s Top Three’ with Westwood taking a 70 to be at five under par and Martin Kaymer a 71 for a four-under par tally.

Unless Kaymer wins and Westwood is outside the top-five, then Westwood will remain No. 1.

Two years ago, McIlroy went wire-to-wire to capture his first and only Race to Dubai title.

At this stage, the only change in McIlroy’s scoring is his 64 on day one in 2009 compared to a first round 65 this year.

But the huge difference is McIlroy’s maturity.

He may have spent Thursday afternoon splashing about with his mates at the Wild Wadi water park but the boyhood manners inside the ropes have given way to a single-minded attitude.

McIlroy was asked if Woods’ score earlier in the morning affected the way he played in teh afternoon.

“That’s the first that I have thought about him (Woods) to be honest,” said McIlroy.

“It didn’t make me play any differently, and while it’s great to see him up there, and it’s great for the tournament, I am ahead of him by four shots with 36 holes to go.

“I’ve never been in contention with Tiger up around the top of the leader board, so I don’t know what will happen.

“I know in my mind that sooner or later in my career I am going to face him on the last day, so why not this week on a course where I won wire-to-wire here in 2009.

“But really I will just concentrate on myself and I don’t mind who plays well over the weekend or who shoots what score, as long as I go out and shoot the numbers I want to,, then that’s the most important thing.”