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Rory McIlroy holds a triple share of the lead in Dubai as he closed Saturday with his aim of winning both trophies on offer at the DP World Tour Championship.
World number three McIlroy shot a four-under 68 in his third round and was joined at the top with a 12-under total by Dane Rasmus Hojgaard (66) and Frenchman Antoine Rozner (69).
McIlroy felt disappointed after making six birdies – and two bogeys – in his first 12 holes only to fail to capitalize on a few good shots late in his round, unable to take the lead at the 14th or 18th par 5 hole.
Hojgaard, whose twin brother Nicolai won the tournament last year while McIlroy took the Order of Merit crown throughout the season, started brightly with six birdies in his first eight holes, but had to fight hard on the final nine holes as he reached par on every hole.
Rozner had an average round through 17 holes with a stunning second shot from 191 yards on the par-5 18th hole to seven feet and holed the putt for a closing eagle.
In the Race to Dubai, McIlroy already seems to have his name engraved on the trophy. The only player who can deny him a sixth title, South African Thriston Lawrence, is currently 17th at four under. Lawrence has to win and McIlroy will have to play poorly and finish tied for 11th for that to happen.
“A little bittersweet. After the birdie on 12, I had a good chance, but my putt on 13 just took the edge. And then 14 and 15 are birdie holes, and I can’t make any birdies on either one, and making a par with only a six iron (for his second shot) in my hand before the last one as well,” McIlroy said.
“I’m a little disappointed with the way I played these last five holes, but I’m still in a very good position going into tomorrow. Tied for the lead. I’m going to a course that I really like and on which I I’ve had success before.
“It’s a great opportunity to end the year on a good note. I’m going to go out there tomorrow and give it my all, and hopefully things go well and I can stand on that 18th green with both trophies .”
– Another Hojgaard on the trophy? –
Hojgaard smashed his tee shot into the flowing stream down the middle of the 18th green, then pushed his third shot well right, almost out of bounds. But he dropped a huge 21-foot par putt to stay in the count.
“The first nine holes, I thought was one of the best rounds of golf I’ve played this year. Then I had to hang in there on the back nine,” said Hojgaard, who is expected to finish second behind McIlroy in the Race to Dubai.
“The par save at the 18th was huge. It looked more like an eight at one point. It wasn’t an easy shot from where I got the drop. I had already mentally noted a six on my scorecard, but the putt fell.”
“It would be great if another Hojgaard could defend the trophy and I could have my name alongside Nicolai.”
Rozner, a three-time European Tour champion, said the eagle on the 18th was key.
“I think the eagle on the last one helped me a lot and made me happy with my day overall. I haven’t produced my best golf of the week so far, but I have always held on. I managed to make a few putts on the last nine which were important for me,” said the Frenchman.
Swede Jesper Svensson (68) and Chilean Joaquin Niemann (69) were tied for fourth at 10 under par. Englishman Tyrrell Hatton (71), who broke his club after his second shot on the 14th hole, was sixth at nine under.
The winner of the championship on Sunday will receive a check for $3 million, and the Race to Dubai champion will receive $2 million from the bonus pool for the top 10 players. Additionally, the top 10 players who are not members of the PGA Tour will get their card in America.
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