Rory McIlroy close to first place in the ranking

Advertisemen

Never say never, the road is long and he is number one in the world. So we said yesterday about that mediocre performance transformed into a raise in the last three holes. Four shots earned, a 4 iron masterpiece at eighteen, part of the gap filled and new confidence. At the end of the third round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, Rory McIlroy is fourth, three shots from new leader Jon Rahm, and first in the seasonal ranking if the race ends now. He left for the race with a bit of "rust on him", he said, has earned eleven shots in the last 21. Not a great start today with bogey at one and three, but two quality shots at two (par 5) for the eagle; from here he has only recovered ground for a 65 of the day (-12 in total) and spectacular plays with the ball placed twenty centimeters from the hole. "At 8 it was 110 meters, three quarters of a sand wedge; at 9 it was 134, three quarters of a 9 iron, among the best swings of the day. Nice to reap the rewards of the work done on this type of shot. I played so well on this one. tracked over the years, I know how to do a lot of birdies here, I have to find the resources in myself and, above all, keep the ball off the tee on the fairway to give myself a chance".

Rory McIlroy, results

The stakes will be high tomorrow. To become number one in Europe after winning the FedExCup in the US and returning to the top of the world ranking. "Really cool, I have never won the season on either side of the Atlantic, 15 years as a pro and I still have to try new things. It was a fantastic year, I played great golf for so many months, it would be great the final". Too nervous Tyrrell Hatton to make any statements after compromising the leadership (he was leading by himself after the first nine) with four bogeys in the second leg (72 of the day, -12 total). Glad I didn't lose contact (he's only one behind) Matt Fitzpatrick (70 today, -14 total) after struggling with too many out-of-position tee shots. A matter of patience? "Yes, I have made progress this year, also thanks to my caddy Billy Foster. Patience and trust in the irons, which I am playing very well, are the key for me this week." If things go his way tomorrow, on the plate he can find the title of the Tour Championship (the third), but also the seasonal one: "A dream, I never put the two together". To do that, he has to win and McIlroy has to go beyond second place. Or finish second, with number one beyond seventh position. 

Alex Noren believes it (68 today, -13 total), thanks to a rediscovered driver (even looking repeatedly at the Northern Irish driver. "A little taller, longer and with less spin, it seems to work." he hasn't won for four years and is in position to do it tomorrow in the company of the best of the tour. "I always watch them carefully to understand what they do better than me, so I try to improve. In the last round I will give everything." It would be the third title of this event also for Jon Rahm, who took the lead at -15 with a shot of advantage thanks to a score without bogey: seven birdies for a total of 65. "Very good irons today and I found excellent solutions even from difficult situations. Like in the par 5, where I never took the fairway but I still gained three shots. Here being long helps to pass some key bunkers. And then I've already had good Sundays on this track. "Score of 73 today for Guido Migliozzi , 19th: "The long game is not bad, some mistakes on green, some three putts. A tough ride, I suffered a bit. Tomorrow I have to attack, I have nothing to lose ".

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/1iraO7K

Advertisemen

 Tennis