McIlroy makes his move in Dubai

European Tour
  • November 21, 2015

Rory McIlroy shot a scintillating 65 to move within one shot of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship.

The Northern Irishman mixed eight birdies with one bogey during a highly productive third round at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Saturday.

That moved him to 15 under par heading into Sunday's final round at the European Tour's season-ending event, just one shot behind tournament leader Andy Sullivan, who held on to his overnight advantage courtesy of a four-under-par 68.

American Patrick Reed lies in third place, two shots behind McIlroy, after a 68 of his own, while Byeong Hun An and Emiliano Grillo are tied for fourth on 12 under.

While McIlroy is now within sight of claiming the coveted Race to Dubai title for finishing the season as Europe's number one, England's Danny Willett could still stand in his way.

Willett needs to finish above McIlroy on Sunday and current lies tied-sixth on 11 under par alongside Matthew Fitzpatrick and Thongchai Jaidee after a third-round 67. He trails McIlroy by four shots.

The other man who was pressuring McIlroy in the Race to Dubai over the last couple of rounds, Justin Rose, had a disastrous day at the office, carding a six-over 78 to fall out of the running.

Leader Sullivan, meanwhile, is chasing a fourth win of the season, and by far the biggest win of his career. He birdies two of his last three holes to ensure he would hold on to the lead.

McIlroy was pleased with his round and would love to finish a disappointing season (by his own high standards) on a positive note.

"It's the only thing left this year," he said. "It's my last round of the year, last round of the season and I want to make the most of it. It would have been nicer to be a shot better going into the last round but I've got one more round to go out and give it my all.

"It would mean an awful lot just being able to go into the Christmas break on a bit of a high note winning The Race to Dubai, winning this tournament, just to get another tournament win.

On his 65, he added: "I played fantastically well. I could have been five under through five 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.

"But I'm still in a great position going into tomorrow."

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