Off-colour Rory McIlroy with work to do in Race to Dubai after third round 72

The Saturday charge many expected from Rory McIlroy didn't materialise, but at four shots back, he's still got a big shot at the Race to Dubai title as well as the DP World Tour Championship

PERFECT: For the second day in a row Rory McIlroy hit a perfect second to the par 5 18th but couldn't capitalise and had to make do with a birdie four on Day 3 of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. Pic: Fadel Senna/ AFP via Getty Images

RORY McIlroy faces an uphill task to claim a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title after a struggling third round par 72 left him four adrift of leader and Ryder Cup team mate Tyrell Hatton at the DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy birdied the last after a brilliant approach to the par 5 set him up for eagle, and it was that sort of up and down day for the world number 2 after a mid-round run of three bogeys halted early third round momentum.

Hatton was in the water at the 18th but got up from a greenside bunker to post a four under 68 for a -9 total, one ahead of Victor Perez and two in front of Sweden's Mikael Lindberg.

"I know tomorrow is going to be a tough day," the English man told Sky Sports Golf.  "I've got enough experience down these last few holes to know that anything can happen. So, I'll just go out tomorrow and try my best. I know I can play well around here, and that's what I'll try to do."

WHAT. A. SHOT 🤯

Rory with an unbelievable approach into the 18th to set up an eagle look.#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/VdLUgubyI8

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 14, 2026

McIlroy parred the opening six holes and looked like he had kickstarted a charge by eagleing the seventh. However it followed it with three straight bogeys and struggled to get his mojo back thereafter.

"McIlroy's driving was poor. Any time McIlroy starts to hit hooks, I kind of worry," Sky Sports analyst Paul McGinley mused after round 3.

"He's then guarding against the hook and you end up hitting a number of blocks as well and you get a two-way miss in play. It started on eight, having made an eagle on seven, playing the hole brilliantly, you think: 'Here he goes!' That led to a bogey.

"Standing up on the next hole [the ninth] this was another missed tee shot. It was up the left-hand side and this is the root of the problem.

"It's a fix that happens throughout his career; he hits hooks, and when he hits hooks, he has a problem. Too much of a drop to the inside, and his swing becomes too much in-to-out.

"We've seen him do this before and then reset and come back and win The Masters."

EAGLE FOR RORY 🔥

A brilliant approach sets up an eagle for Rory McIlroy who retakes the solo lead in Dubai.#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/AQcled0MZb

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 14, 2026

McGinley added: "Although he didn't quite convert on 18, he's still there, or thereabouts.

"He will reset overnight, and I expect a better Rory coming out tomorrow. And if he can hit fairways, I think the rest of the game will be in good shape."

In the order of merit title race, Spain's Eugenio Chicarra carded a four under 69 that included nine birdies to join McIlroy on five under par

"I'm ready. I love the game of golf. I love practising. I work so hard for these moments, and I'm going to go out there and enjoy it.

"I think all of my goals have been done this season. So I'm just playing for free. This is an extra bonus to have a chance to win it, and just to enjoy every moment.

"Not a lot of people can enjoy this moment and have a chance to win the Race to Dubai.

"So, I'm going to have a chance tomorrow, and I'm going to go try and enjoy it as much as possible."

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