Rory McIlroy’s hopes of winning the Race to Dubai remain alive after a promising charge fell flat on the 18th hole on day three of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
McIlroy started the day well off the lead after a late triple bogey in the second round, while leader Paul Waring set a course record.
The Northern Ireland native hit the green with a 346-yard drive on the 14th, recorded a birdie, and entered the competition tied for fourth place heading into the final hole.
After being hooked to the left, the ball veered toward the ocean, hit a rock on the shore, and plummeted straight into the water, putting McIlroy at 3 under for the round.
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Highlights from Round 3 of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links
“It’s not ideal to play the last two holes more than once in two days in a row,” McIlroy said after his round.
“The wind was a little strong this afternoon, so we were fortunate that the leaders couldn’t run away, so we made a little charge.
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“I had one mistake on my drive on the 18th and it was so windy that it was very difficult to get my layup into the water on my third shot.
“Untimely mistakes like yesterday on the 17th have dug a little hole to get out of, but depending on what the leaders do, we could go into tomorrow feeling like we still have half a chance.”
“I made my first bogey today and doubled my last bogey and in between there was some really good golf, just like yesterday. I just have to put it all together and play the way I’ve been playing and keep the big mistakes and big numbers. My card. Get out of here.
“If I can put up a good score that way, you never know.”
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McIlroy remains in contention as Waring was unable to maintain his record scoring streak and failed to capitalize on the gains going forward.
The Briton, ranked 229th in the world, made two bogeys and had a five-stroke lead on the second day, just one stroke ahead of Niklas Horgaard, with McIlroy five strokes behind.
Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood finished third along with Thorbjorn Oleson and Sebastian Sodeberg.
Who will win the Race to Dubai? Watch the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship live on Sky Sports Golf this month. Get Sky Sports
