Rory McIlroy admits he lost patience as Rai sets the pace in Abu Dhabi

Shane Lowry lies eighth after round 3, with McIlroy in a share of 12th.

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025 - 15:43

Euan Parsons

Despite a flying start, Rory McIlroy admitted he struggled to stay patient as England's Aaron Rai set the pace at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Rai heads into the final round with a one-shot lead but will have two-time former champion Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard breathing down his neck.

Halfway co-leader Rai flew out of the traps on Saturday, turning in 31 thanks to five front-nine birdies. He made two more after the turn to briefly hold a three-shot lead before a bogey on the 17th and closing birdies from Fleetwood and Hojgaard cut his advantage.

Rai's third-round 66 sees him go into Sunday's fourth round on 20 under par, one clear of nearest challengers Fleetwood and Hojgaard.

Andy Sullivan is in a tie for fifth on 17 under, two ahead of Shane Lowry and England's Jordan Smith, with McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, Connor Syme and Marcus Armitage among those another shot further back.

McIlroy was already 6-under after 11 but faded on the back nine.

"It seems like the last seven holes haven't really given me much this week. I made bogey on 14 trying to go for the green but finished well.

"I gave myself some chances. And yeah, it sort of feels like a week that I left a few out there every day. Even today, I felt like today was the best that I played. After 11, it could have been a really good round, and stalled a little bit, and that's the reason that I'm six back from Aaron and Nico at this point."

McIlroy admitted the pace being set by the leaders made it difficult to remain in control of his game.

"You can keep your foot on the pedal, but then if it's not quite happening, it's hard to stay patient. That sort of got me today by going for the green on 14 and putting it in a bad spot and making bogey.

"Sometimes it is hard to stay patient when you're seeing all the guys behind you, 5-under through nine, and sort of you're trying to play catch up. It seems like to matter how well you play, they seem to keep making birdies.

"That's the name of the game on this golf course. It sort of has been for the last few years. You're going to have to shoot low scores to have a chance. I played okay but not quite good enough to get myself right into contention this week."

Rai, the world number 30 who won the Wyndham Championship last year, said: "This is a huge event. This is one of the biggest events we have on the DP World Tour.

"To win this week, to have a chance going into the weekend, is great.

"Still a long way to go and a lot of really good players. Yeah, we'll give it our best and see how it comes."

Ryder Cup star Fleetwood made an eagle and three birdies in his flawless 67, while Hojgaard's 65 featured eight birdies and one bogey.

Fleetwood said: "I think it was a really good day of patience for me.

"There was a lot of good scores out there and you're playing with Aaron who played phenomenally well.

"He was unbelievable today in every department."