EPGA: Rory McIlroy 7 back of leader Daniel Hillier in Dubai

Date:

Share post:


Defending champion Rory McIlroy continued to struggle at Emirates Golf Club while No. 223-ranked Daniel Hillier finished with a one-stroke lead on Saturday after the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

Seeking his third straight title and fifth total at Dubai, McIlroy was 1-over after the front nine without a single birdie.

McIlroy made four birdies on the back nine to finish with a 69 on Saturday. He sits seven shots off the pace.

The No. 3-ranked McIlroy is looking up from a 12th-place tie.

“I’d need to go out and shoot 63 tomorrow,” McIlroy said. “If the conditions are right, I’ve been able to do that before, especially if you can make a score on the front nine before that scorable back nine.

McIlroy squeaked into the weekend at 3 under par, following a 70 on Thursday and 71 on Friday.

The Northern Irishman will need a stroke of luck to stave off the streaking New Zealander in the lead. Hillier is 13-under par for the week and looking for the biggest win of his career.

“It would be life-changing,” Hillier said. “Last year was pretty tough. It was a bit of a grind. I was getting pretty frustrated with myself towards the end of the year. Gave myself a little bit of a break and time to reset, and I’m feeling refreshed. Yeah, excited for tomorrow.”

–Field Level Media

spot_img

Related articles

PGA: Masters chairman: No plans to create LIV exemption

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley says there are no immediate plans to create an exemption for...

PGA: Players weigh in: Will Augusta’s fallen trees impact Masters?

Everyone who has played Augusta National previously can see the stark difference when walking the course this week,...

PGA: Scottie Scheffler feels the past is the past as he seeks 3rd green jacket

While life around Scottie Scheffler has changed since he sank the final putt to win last year's Masters,...

PGA: Bryson DeChambeau still learning about Augusta in his 9th Masters

Bryson DeChambeau first played in The Masters as an amateur in 2016, and if there's one thing he's...

FREE

Get the most important breaking news and analyses for Free.

Thank you for subscribing

Something went wrong.