European Tour: Rory McIlroy within reach of Dubai Desert Classic
RORY McILROY will go into the final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic one shot off the lead after his third-round 68.
Rory McIlroy is just one shot off the lead in Dubai
The Northern Irishman trails China’s Li Haotong, whose 64 lifted him to 20 under par.
Alexander Levy, who enjoyed a hole-in-one at the fourth, and Haydn Porteous finished the day at 17 under.
Andy Sullivan is a shot further back and David Horsey is on 15 under.
McIlroy began another day of low scoring by completing his fog-delayed second round with three successive birdies.
Rory McIlroy insists he needs to up his game in order to claim victory on the final day
That gave him a two-shot lead at the halfway point but he was unable to maintain that form at the start of his third round.
McIlroy said: “I’ll probably need to play a bit better tomorrow to win.
Li Haotong tops the leaderboard of the Dubai Desert Classic
“It’s two weeks into the season and I’ve given myself a second chance to win a tournament.
“I feel like if I play my game I’ll be able to shoot something a bit lower tomorrow, and I really think I’ll need to.”