Rory McIlroy publicly downplays two previous Dubai Desert Classic victories, but one can be sure that his record at the Emirates Club is well known to the rest of those vying for the famous trophy. If he prevails here, McIlroy would join Ernie Els as a three-time Desert Classic champion.
“I live in Ernie’s old house in Florida,” McIlroy said. “It would be nice to do something more related to him.”
McIlroy’s 69, one more shot than the best round in a third-round field of 81 strong, puts him in the final group in his second start of 2022. Justin Harding produced his highest score of the week, 71, but still leads the McIlroy 10. under par for two. Tommy Fleetwood and Erik van Rooyen are firmly part of this equation at minus nine. However, given his status and previous glories, all eyes are on McIlroy.
“I’m excited,” McIlroy said. “I had a really good opportunity in 2018 here and I let it get away from me. It’s good to give me another chance.”
So what, of course, and the distance specialty? “It’s a new tournament, it’s a new year,” McIlroy said. “It’s basically a new course. You just go out there and try to play your best. The only thing is more experience and being in these positions before. Winning here twice is fine, but I don’t think it will give me any kind of advantage.”
Many will disagree. The hype around McIlroy, especially with another Masters tilt on the horizon, will intensify if the triple is completed.
Having played the first nine at 34, one down, McIlroy’s day began with an eagle three in the 10th. He converted a putt from 16 feet there. In increasingly demanding conditions, with particularly slippery greens, McIlroy was on his way to a 70 before hitting the 18th green in two and making a two-putt for birdie look wonderfully easy. “There has definitely been progress,” he said of his week.
This would easily be the biggest win of Harding’s career. It’s just a little unfair to point out that her main claim to fame is dating a former winner of The Apprentice. It is not that the South African is just any cup; he has produced four bogeys in 54 holes. He also has little to lose on the fourth day.
“I have to go out there and keep doing what I’m doing,” he said. “Make a couple of birdies and shoot 70, 69, something like that, and have them shoot five or six under par, then give them credit. Just another day at the office.”
Fleetwood’s return to prominence after a prolonged period of mediocrity has been very well received. He added a 69 to the rounds of 67 and 71. “I’m really excited to play tomorrow, get the juices flowing on a Sunday and see how my game goes,” he said.
“I would love to race that home stretch and who knows, it might be my week, it might not be, but I’m excited about where my game is going. You’re always looking for affirmations to say that what you’re doing is right, don’t miss them as they come along, and I think today he proved that.”
Paul Casey has eight bass; It would be better if it weren’t for a missed putt from 3 feet at the end. “I’m not going to be hard on myself,” the defending champion said. “It’s a very, very difficult course.”
Meanwhile, Henrik Stenson has offered the strongest indication yet that he wants to captain Europe in the 2023 Ryder Cup. The Swede’s situation is complicated by an ongoing link with a Saudi-backed independent tour, but it seems willing to prioritize the Ryder Cup. “I would prefer to leave that answer to the person who would ask the question, but yeah, I’m still very interested,” he said.
“I have a somewhat rough idea of what is involved. I have asked Thomas [Bjorn] I have asked Pádraig about it [Harrington]. i asked monty [Colin Montgomerie] when we play together this week.”
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism