Dubai: Rory McIlroy conceded the Race to Dubai to Luke Donald yesterday after he was overtaken and left for dead by the king of consistency on the third day of the Dubai World Championship.
The Ulsterman came into the event having to win outright for a chance to win the order of merit and hope that Donald would finish outside the top nine.
The feat would have denied Donald a historic money list win on both the European and US PGA Tours in the same season.
But with Donald charging to fourth on the leaderboard at ten-under and McIlroy now in a tie for eighth after dropping three early shots yesterday, it really is mission impossible.
‘It's over'
McIlroy, who had tennis-playing girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki following him on the back nine, said: "It's over. Luke is in a great position, and you know he's played great the last couple of days.
"I expect him to go out and shoot another very solid round tomorrow and wrap this thing up.
"He deserves it. He's played great all year. He deserves to be No 1 in the world and deserves to win both money lists. He's had an incredible year. I just want to go out tomorrow and try to get myself up the leaderboard and try to post as good a finish as possible."
McIlroy, who is said to be suffering from the after-effects of a virus, added: "I'm tired, I'm really tired.
"I'm not 100 per cent, but that shouldn't stop me from going out and playing good golf."
Donald, meanwhile, isn't celebrating just yet. "I would be foolish to expect that it's over," he said.
"Tomorrow it will be just like any other day in terms of my focus will be on trying to catch whoever is the leader and trying to win the tournament. I think I've said from the start, I could get in trouble if I concentrate on that ninth place."
