Grand Slam winning Rory McIlroy superbly took to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship overtaking lane in a move to be now assured the keys later next week to a seventh Race to Dubai title.
After two days in the slow lanes of the Yas Links course, there was no holding McIlroy back on day three grabbing seven birdies, including four in his opening seven holes on route to an eventual six-under par 66 and now be heading to the final round at 14-under and a share of 12th place.
England’s Aaron Rai continues to lead the way but letting slip what could have been a two, if not, three shot lead had it not been for a bogey at 17 and not managing to birdie the par-5 18th in his round of 66 for his 20-under effort.
Fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (67) and Dane Nicolai Hojgaard (65) share second on 19-under.
Spaniard Naco Elvira is lying fourth thanks to a round of 65 for his 18-under tally.
RORS MAKES @DPWorldTour NO. 1⃣ TITLE MOVE ….
It’s taken 3 rounds @ADGolfChamps for @McIlroyRory to get into no doubt assurance next week of a seventh #RaceToDubai victory
Read: https://t.co/GzjgAvMISt
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✅ @TOURMISS pic.twitter.com/BQpRX9frf1
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) November 8, 2025
McIlroy’s effort is three shots fewer than nearest Race to Dubai rival Marco Penge, who added a two-under 70 to be trailing back of the Masters champion at 11-under.
“Got off to a good start, 6-under through 11, and seems like the last seven holes haven’t really given me much this week. I made bogey on 14 trying to go for the green but finished well,” said McIlroy.
“I gave myself some chances. And yeah, it sort of feels like a week that I left a few out there every day. Even today, I felt like today was the best that I played. After 11, it could have been a really good round, and stalled a little bit, and that’s the reason that I’m six back from Aaron and Nico at this point.
“I will try to shoot another good one tomorrow and move up the board and try to obviously accumulate as many points as possible heading into next week”.
While McIlroy will never be one to rule out victory, even lying six shots adrift of Rai, he also will be keeping an eye over his shoulder at the last day efforts of Penge.
“It’s hard (to keep your foot on the pedal)”, said McIlroy.
“You can keep your foot on the pedal, but then if it’s not quite happening, it’s hard to stay patient. That sort of got me today by going for the green on 14 and putting it in a bad spot and making bogey.
“Yeah, sometimes it is hard to stay patient when you’re seeing all the guys behind you, 5-under through nine, and sort of you’re trying to play catch up. It seems like to matter how well you play, they seem to keep making birdies.
“That’s the name of the game on this golf course. It sort of has been for the last few years. You’re going to have to shoot low scores to have a chance. I played okay but not quite good enough to get myself right into contention this week”.
