Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland takes a shot on the 16th fairway during the third round of the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai on February 1, 2014. PHOTO: REUTERS
Rory McIlroy put daylight between himself and the rest of the field early in his third round at the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday.
Leading by one overnight on 11-under, the Irishman bogeyed the first for the second straight day, missing a six-footer, but birdied the second and then a superb second to eight feet set up an eagle at the third.
Playing partner Brooks Koepka, who started the day one back, birdied the second but then bogeyed the fourth to stay at 10 under and McIlroy was two clear of the field.
Englishman Steve Webster had earlier shown the way to low scoring at the Emirates Club’s immaculate Majlis Course with a tremendous round of 64 — the second best of the tournament so far.
Webster landed five birdies and an eagle in the space of eight holes from the sixth and then birdied the last three as he bounded up the leader board to join McIlroy at 11 under.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods’ hopes of winning the Dubai Desert Classic for a record-equalling third time were all but quashed meanwhile after he carded a third round of 70.
“Wasted a lot of opportunities out there,” said Woods of his round. “I only hit a couple of bad shots, missed a ton of putts and just threw away a lot of shots.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2014.
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