McIlroy relishing prospect of Tiger test

RORY MCILROY is confident of a second wire-to-wire victory even if it means an eventual Omega Dubai Desert Classic final day showdown with Tiger Woods.

McIlroy kept himself ahead of the chasing pack including Woods who shot a third day 66 for a share of fifth place at seven under par.

Woods and playing partners, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer were given a time warning for slow play at their sixth hole, with Woods eventually earning a second round points win in the ‘Battle of the Big Three’ with a 66 for a seven under par tally.

The American headed to the clubhouse as McIlroy was heading down the first, and it wasn’t until a birdie at the ninth that McIlroy went to the front at eight-under.

The current World No. 7 then recorded a three more birdies, including the last where he decided to lay-up short of the water hazard ahead of putting a 101-yard wedge to 10 feet, and holing the birdie putt in 68 to end 11-under for the day.

Woods is tied in fifth with former Irish Open winner, Brett Rumford of Australia (68), Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (69), Dane Anders Hansen (68) and Belfast’s Michael Hoey (67).

Two years ago, McIlroy again led by one stroke after 36-holes with the only difference being his score of 64 on day one in 2009 compared to a first round 65 this year.

But while McIlroy spent Thursday afternoon splashing about at the Wild Wadi water park, he’s now staring at a 36-hole marathon swim if he’s to win in Dubai.

McIlroy was asked after his round if noting Woods’ score from earlier in the morning affected the way he played over the course of the afternoon.

“That’s the first that I have thought about him (Woods) to be honest,” said McIlroy.

“It didn’t make me play any differently, and while it’s great to see him up there, and it’s great for the tournament, I am ahead of him by four shots with 36 holes to go.

“I’ve never been in contention with Tiger up around the top of the leader board, so I don’t know what will happen.

“I know in my mind that sooner or later in my career I am going to face him on the last day, so why not this week on a course where I won wire-to-wire here in 2009.

“But really I will just concentrate on myself and I don’t mind who plays well over the weekend or who shoots what score, as long as I go out and shoot the numbers I want to, then that’s the most important thing.”

Hoey left the scorer’s hut noting that he was tied with Woods but any thought he had of also facing Woods ended with the third round draw, and Hoey’s 12.18pm (local time) tee-off alongside Gonnet.

At least Hoey will get a good sight of Woods as he and Gonnet are out in the group immediately before Woods.

Darren Clarke made the level par cut with a 72 for a two under par tally while Damien McGrane (71) ended a run of two missed cuts to head to the third round at one under par.

Peter Lawrie (70) is at level par but Paul McGinley missed the cut in his second straight Dubai event after a prior unbroken run of 15 starts dating back to 1992.