World No. 1 Rory McIlroy is ready to outdrive Ryder Cup colleague, Peter Hanson and snatch the BMW Masters title from the Swede.
A third round 70 took Hanson to 16 under par, but his Ryder Cup teammate shot 69 and is now only one behind as he chases a fifth victory of the season.
Rory McIlroy dons a traditional Bavarian cap after his BMW Masters third round in a promo interview ahead of next year’s 25th BMW International Open in Munich. (Photo – exclusive – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
The Swede started the day two clear, but was caught within eight holes after a birdie at the second was followed by bogeys at the fourth, fifth and eighth.
The 35-year old Olrland-based Hanson is looking for second European Tour victory in three appearances after capturing the KLM Open a fortnight before the Ryder Cup.
“The pins were a little bit more difficult today but I’m pleased as it was a good round of golf,” said Hanson.
“It’s just great also to play alongside Rory, and every chance you get to compete with the World No. 1 it is just fantastic thing to do.
“I feel myself very lucky to be in this position and hopefully I can stay ahead of him because it is going to be a tough one considering the way he is playing, so I need to play a little bit better than I did tomorrow to have a chance of beating him.
“But if I were to win this event it would be massive and this is the start of a big stretch coming up now, so it’s just nice to find a bit of form and see yourself up there, and having a bit of a chance of winning the title come Sunday.
“I do need to step up a bit more because if I don’t I am going to have the World No. 1 snapping right at my heels and if I’m not careful he could be going pass me.”
McIlroy won the exhibition Shanghai Masters tournament on the same Shanghai course last year but after the disappointment of his poor showing last fortnight in Turkey, the 23-year old Northern Irishman is ready to stamp his World No. 1 status and seal the $1,166m victory.
“It would mean a lot if I could successfully defend here at Lake Malaren even though this year’s event is now on the European Tour, so it would be nice to win for a second time,” he said.
“What also would be most pleasing is that I will come into these last few weeks of my year trying to wrap-up the Race to Dubai Number One title.
“I’ve put myself into contention this week and I’m to finish this one off that would give me a nice lead going into my last three events.
“So that would more pleasing than anything else as it would extend my lead over Justin (Rose) and Branden (Grace), so that when I do get to Dubai later next month I won’t have to do much.”
South African George Coetzee (66), and chasing a first European Tour win, is in third place on 13-under par.
Six players – Alexander Noren of Sweden (69), Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland (68), Shane Lowry of Ireland (69) and the England duo of Justin Rose (69) and Luke Donald (68) – share fourth place on 11-under par.
