McIlroy "‘Number 1’ Power"... ‘3-Shot Lead’

McIlroy Leads Dubai Desert Classic 3R with 7 Under Par
Perez Tied 4th, Wang Jeonghoon Tied 30th

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) showcased his 'Number 1' power in front of LIV Golf players sponsored by Saudi Arabian capital.

On the 29th (local time), McIlroy fired a 7-under-par round in the third round of the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) Hero Dubai Desert Classic (total prize money $9 million) held at Emirates Golf Club (par 72, 7,428 yards) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), taking the top spot on the leaderboard at 15-under-par 201. Due to bad weather, the schedule was delayed by a day, and the winner will be decided on the 30th.

Rory McIlroy is teeing off at the 8th hole of the 3rd round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Dubai=AP·Yonhap News

McIlroy dominated his playing partner, Bernd Wiesberger (Austria), a LIV Golf player. Starting from a tie for 7th place, 2 strokes behind, McIlroy collected 8 birdies and 1 bogey. He gained early momentum with 4 consecutive birdies from holes 1 to 4. He then added 3 consecutive birdies from holes 13 to 15 and another birdie on the 17th hole (par 4). The only blemish was a bogey on the final 18th hole (par 5).

McIlroy powered his game with an average driving distance of 311 yards and a pinpoint iron shot accuracy of 77.8% greens in regulation. His putting was outstanding as well, averaging 1.5 putts per hole. He surged into a 3-stroke lead, seizing the opportunity for his 15th DP World Tour victory, his first since winning the World Golf Championships (WGC) HSBC Champions in March 2019. McIlroy exclaimed, "It's a great start to the year" and "This is a chance to win."

Dan Bradbury and Callum Shinkwin (both England) are tied for 2nd place at 12-under-par 204, while LIV Golf members Patrick Reed (USA) and Ian Poulter (England), along with last week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Victor Perez (France), share 4th place at 11-under-par 205. Amateur Michael Torbjornsen (USA), who was co-leader the previous day, dropped one stroke to tie for 19th at 9-under-par 209. Wiesberger is also tied for 19th, and Wang Jeonghoon is tied for 30th at 7-under-par 209.