Rory McIlroy makes his move in Dubai to tee up chance for victory
Rory McIlroy will play in the final group at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic after making his way through the field on Saturday.
Rory McIlroy will have a chance to win his third Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic victory after making his move on Saturday.
The Northern Irishman, 32, made his debut here in 2006 and ever since has had a love affair with Emirates Golf Club.
By the close of play on Saturday, McIlroy managed to vault himself up the leader board and into contention to claim another win.
McIlroy will play alongside Justin Harding, the elegant South African who has a two stroke lead over his nearest challenger.
At times it looked as if McIlroy was struggling to make some ground on the field as after nine holes he was only 1-under.
But an eagle at the 10th breathed some life in his round at this Rolex Series event, the second in as many weeks.
Despite dropping one shot straight back a hole later, two more birdies followed to see him card a 3-under 69.
If McIlroy were to claim victory it would see the current world number eight claim his 15th victory on the DP World Tour.
Speaking after his round, McIlroy told Sky Sports: "Yeah, I think it was a fair reflection of how I played.
"There were some good things in there, a few bad things in there as well but it all evened out by the end."
He added: "Yeah, I'm excited. I had a really good chance in 2018 and let it slip and Haotong (Li) won.
"It's nice to give myself another opportunity."
Only Ernie Els has won this tournament three times.
McIlroy and Harding are also being chased by England's Tommy Fleetwood and Bernd Wiesberger who are both 9-under thru 54.
Harding carded a third round of 1-under 71 to add to his opening rounds of 65 and 68.
The 35-year-old South African is looking for his third victory on the DP World Tour.
Defending champion Paul Casey is also not out of it, and joins a crop of seven players who are at 8-under par.
Those include Adrian Meronk, Fabrizio Zanotti, Richard Bland, Erik van Rooyen and Tyrrell Hatton.
Rory McIlroy will play in the final group on Sunday
Currently two off the lead.#SlyncDDC | #RolexSeries— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 29, 2022
Leaderboard top-10
Justin Harding -12
Rory McIlroy -10
Tommy Fleetwood -9
Bernd Wiesberger -8
Paul Casey -8
Adrian Meronk -8
Fabrizio Zanotti -8
Richard Bland -8
Erik van Rooyen -8
Tyrrell Hatton -8
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