Dubai World No. 6 Rory McIlroy said there’s still all to play for on the final day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, despite Stephen Gallacher going two shots clear of the Ulsterman at 16-under par on Saturday.
McIlroy had a one-shot lead over Brooks Koepka at 11-under par after round two, but failed to increase his dominance further after shooting just 69 on Saturday.
Gallacher meanwhile hit 63 — making up 10 strokes over his last 10 holes after a bogey on eight — to rise five positions up the leader board to first.
“I feel like I can catch him [Gallacher] up tomorrow [Sunday],” said McIlroy. “I just need to go out there and try to hit a few more fairways, focus on a few things in my game and not really focus on what he’s doing, focus on my game and try to hit better drives and make a few putts and see where it puts me by the end of the day.”
Of his round, which saw him card two bogeys, a birdie and an eagle on his front nine followed by two birdies on his return, McIlroy said: “I feel like I left a few out there for sure but I’m happy with the position going into the final day. I’ll be in the final group so I’ll see what’s happening. All in all, I’m in a good position going into tomorrow [Sunday].”
Having led the tournament for the first two days, McIlroy was asked if having to chase Gallacher would change his final day’s strategy.
“It doesn’t change the strategy much,” said McIlroy. “You’ve just got to go out there and try to shoot a good score, whether you are two behind or two ahead. If you are two ahead, you just want to go out there and keep your foot on the gas and just keep going and if you’re two behind, you’ve got to do the same thing. You’ve got to make birdies and you’ve got to get off to a fast start and that’s what I’ll try and do tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Koepka, who had started round three in second at 10-under par, just a stroke behind McIlroy, is now tied for third, four strokes off the lead at 12 under par after shooting 70 on Saturday.
“It’s just golf,” said Koepka, who shot three birdies and two bogeys on his front nine and three bogeys and two birdies on his return. “I can’t get too upset. I’ve still got a chance going into tomorrow [Sunday], so I can’t complain.
“I wasn’t hitting it as good. Wasn’t starting on my lines and finishing anywhere near where it should have been, but that’s all right, it happens, good round tomorrow [Sunday] and I’ll be fine.”
