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.
RORS JUST THREE BACK, A ROUND TO PLAY #DubaiInvitational …
Grand Slam @McIlroyRory avoids any ‘splash’ posting third round 68 to be in with a real chance of securing Pro career No. 46
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— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) January 17, 2026
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 and England’s Marcus Armitage, who joined McIlroy in posting a 68 and Shane Lowry, who battled early before regrouping for just are 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
