Rory McIlroy needs a fourth place finish or better to have any chance of surpassing Eugenio Chacarra, who can guarantee the Race To Dubai money-list victory

Both McIlroy and Characca head to the final day tied at five-under, and with the pressure on the Spaniard.

Chacarra entered the week with a 534 point lead over McIlroy in the season-long standings, having won three times this year, only to lose ground with rounds of 72 and 71 over the first two days before a gutsy third day’s 68 that got him back into a share of fourth with McIlroy, and with the pair trailing four adrift of Tyrrell Hatton.

SKY Sports Paul Ginley reckons McIlroy needs to dramatically improve his driving if he’s to have any chance of denying his Spanish rival.

McIlroy parred the opening six holes and looked like he had kickstarted a charge by eagleing the seventh. However it followed it with three straight bogeys and from thereon the double Masters champ was all over the shop before missing the hole with a relatively short eagle ‘3’ putt at the last.

His 18-inch birdie handed him a level par 72 for a share of fourth place at five-under, tied with his Spanish rival four adrift of the lead.

“McIlroy’s driving was poor. Any time McIlroy starts to hit hooks, I kind of worry,” McGinley said.

“He’s then guarding against the hook and you end up hitting a number of blocks as well and you get a two-way miss in play. It started on eight, having made an eagle on seven, playing the hole brilliantly, you think: ‘Here he goes!’ That led to a bogey.

“Standing up on the next hole [the ninth] this was another missed tee shot. It was up the left-hand side and this is the root of the problem.

“It’s a fix that happens throughout his career; he hits hooks, and when he hits hooks, he has a problem. Too much of a drop to the inside, and his swing becomes too much in-to-out.

“We’ve seen him do this before and then reset and come back and win The Masters.”

Though that may be the case but as McGinley remarks, he’s still there or thereabouts.

“Although he didn’t quite convert on 18, he’s still there, or thereabouts,” McGinley added.

“He will reset overnight, and I expect a better Rory coming out tomorrow. And if he can hit fairways, I think the rest of the game will be in good shape.”

In the Race to Dubai money-list race, Chacarra carded a four under 69 that included nine birdies before McIlroy joined him on five under par

“I’m ready. I love the game of golf. I love practising. I work so hard for these moments, and I’m going to go out there and enjoy it,” said Characca.

“I think all of my goals have been done this season. So I’m just playing for free. This is an extra bonus to have a chance to win it, and just to enjoy every moment.

“Not a lot of people can enjoy this moment and have a chance to win the Race to Dubai.

“So, I’m going to have a chance tomorrow, and I’m going to go try and enjoy it as much as possible.”