Rory McIlroy has strengthened his campaign for the Race to Dubai after a third-round 65 at the DP World Tour Championship.
In his lowest ever round at the Championship, the former world number one hit eight birdies and one bogey to remain just one shot behind England's Andy Sullivan and four ahead of Danny Willett, his biggest threat to the European number one crown.
This is McIlroy's third attempt to win the Race to Dubai in four yearss. The former World Number one believes that success this time around will be determined by his ability to sustain his composure.
.@McIlroyRory heads to the scorers box after hitting third round 65, -15 heading into final day @DPWTC #RacetoDubai pic.twitter.com/3jlFrs1zPE
— Sport360° (@Sport360) November 21, 2015
'It’s just a matter of trying to focus on myself, try and win the golf tournament, and that’s all I can do. I played fantastically well. I could have been five under through five holes easily. I hit the ball beautifully. Everything was just firing today and that’s why I’m walking off the golf course a little bit disappointed because that 65 could have easily been a 62 or a 61.'
McIlroy missed a birdie on the 18th from just four feet which has left a slight stain on an otherwise prosperous day for the Down man.
.@McIlroyRory 's approach to the 18th green delights the fans. #DPWTC pic.twitter.com/AORO4HGRh8
— Adrian Back (@AidyBack) November 21, 2015
'I guess you can’t really walk off this golf course, especially in these conditions, and shoot seven under and not feel good about yourself,” said McIlroy. But at the same time, I feel like it could have been a lot better. The good thing is there’s still one round of golf left. If it had been the final day, I’d be kicking myself with some of the chances I missed. I’m playing lovely so it bodes well for tomorrow. It’s exactly where I want to be, in contention going into Sunday, so it’s all good.”
This is the last round of the year for the 26 year-old and while McIlroy is focused on winning in Dubai, he stresses that he is satisfied with his run this year.
'At the end of the season, if I walk away with four wins, it’s still pretty good. Even though it wasn’t the season that I wanted, it would just be huge to walk away here on a high tomorrow.'
McIlroy lead for a brief period today after striking three consecutive birdies from the 13th. O'Sullivan however, countered McIlroy's efforts with birdies on the 15th and 17th to finish with a third-round 68.
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