Rory McIlroy claims he “absolutely” has a chance to win in Abu Dhabi
Rory McIlroy is tied for 13th place after 54 holes at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, five shots off the lead. But the Northern Irishman believes he still has a chance to close the gap and win the tournament.
After his third round, the world number three took questions from the press. One of the reporters pointed out that he had started the day nine shots behind the leader and had reduced that to five. When asked if he was confident that a good final round could see him win the title, McIlroy replied, "Absolutely."
"Absolutely. I bogeyed the first today and doubled the last but in between, there was some really good golf, same as yesterday. I just need to put it all together and play the way I've been playing and keep the big mistakes and big numbers off my card and if I can do that and post a score, you never know," Rory McIlroy said (via ASAP Sports).
McIlroy also acknowledged that his chances depend on what the leaders can do in the final round:
"Depending on what the leaders do, I can still go into tomorrow feeling like I have half a chance."
Rory McIlroy leads the Race to Dubai by more than 1,500 points. If he maintains this position at the end of next week's Tour Championship, it will be the sixth time he has won the DP World Tour's internal ranking.
Rory McIlroy's ups and downs at the 2024 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Rory McIlroy has had almost identical problems in the first three rounds of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. On the first and second days, he struggled on the 17th hole, while on Saturday it was the 18th.
The Northern Irishman started the third round with a bogey on the 1st, but then went bogey-free with six birdies until the 18th. He had birdied the 18th in the previous two rounds, but this time he was unable to repeat the feat.
His tee shot on the 18th went into the water left of the fairway, forcing him to take a penalty stroke. His third shot went down the fairway and from there he tried to reach the green, but his ball landed in a bunker. His fifth shot left the ball 10 feet from the pin, but he two-putted for a double bogey.
McIlroy shot a 4-over 28 on the 17th and 18th over the first three rounds. He has only carded four holes with scores of bogey or worse, and three have come on the last two.
The Northern Irishman will play the final round in the 18th of 23 groups, accompanied by Joaquin Niemann and Johannes Veerman. He will tee off at 2:15 a.m. Eastern Time.