Dubai: Graeme McDowell admitted he would need “something special” to surpass Henrik Stenson in the Race to Dubai in the last round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman — who entered the tournament third in the money list, just over €300,000 short of leader Stenson — is tied for 14th after three rounds in the season-ending event, nine strokes off the lead at eight under par.
McDowell hit a four under par 68 on Saturday to add to an opening level par 72 and a second round 68.
Victory in the DP World Tour Championship would guarantee McDowell the Race to Dubai title regardless of where Stenson finishes, while second or third place could still be enough to hand him the title.
“There’s still a pulse there, barely,” said McDowell. “I’m going to need something pretty special on Sunday.
“Stenson is playing incredible golf and hats off to him. I haven’t played my best the last three days but I’ve hung tough.
“I’m still alive and kicking and I’m looking forward to going out on Sunday and playing aggressive.”
On Saturday, McDowell cancelled out a birdie on the second hole with a bogey on the ninth, before starting the back nine with two birdies and finishing with an eagle, bogey, birdie combination on holes 15, 16 and 18.
