Rors Back In Sight, Just Three Adrift & Round To Play In Dubai

2 months ago by Comments Off on Rors Back In Sight, Just Three Adrift & Round To Play In Dubai

Grand Slam winning Rory McIlroy put himself back in frame for possible success, birdieing three of his closing nine holes in a round of 68 for a five-under tally on day three at the Dubai Invitational.

McIlroy was far more akin as the World No. 2, using golf’s traditional ‘Moving Day’ to end the round sharing fourth place on five-under and three adrift of Spain’s Nacho Elvira, who signed for a second straight 68 to be leading by two shots, at eight-under on the host Dubai Creek GC course.

The 38-year-old Madrid golfer is looking to secure a third DP World Tour win, the last being the 2024 Soudal Open.

McIlroy’s effort with new TaylorMade clubs in the bag was vast improvement on day two when he made a splash of a different kind in putting four balls into the water in a horror 74.

“A little bit better than yesterday”, said McIlroy.

“I kept the ball dry instead of the four water balls I had yesterday. It was a tricky enough day. The wind was up a little bit again and maybe not quite as much as yesterday but got off to a bit of a slow start but stayed patient and hung in there.

“Was rewarded with three birdies on the back nine.

“I’ve learned a lot about my game over the last three days but I think any time that you’re at the business end of proceedings on the final day, you learn a lot about your game. Tomorrow will be a good day for me. Just to know what to maybe focus on going into the Desert Classic next week, as well”.

McIlroy now heads into the last round of a maiden ’26 event lying fifth.

Three players – South African Darren Fritelli with a round of 66, England’s Marcus Armitage, who joined McIlroy in posting a 68 and Shane Lowry, who battled early before regrouping for just a one-under 70  – share second place on six-under.

The 35-year-olf Fritelli is chasing a fouth DP World Tour title and what would be the eighth win of his pro career

“I played really well the last two or three months in South Africa,” he said. “Had some good golf and haven’t really strong together 72 holes. I’ve had three good rounds and two good rounds here and there.

“It’s just nice to see momentum going the right direction through this tournament, and hopefully tomorrow can be the same”.

In a bunched leaderboard, five shots cover the leading 15 players



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