An unbelievable round of 63 by Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy started his third round 10 shots behind leader Cameron Young. McIlroy had 144 yards for his second shot at the first hole. McIlroy played a sensational wedge shot and rolled in a great putt for birdie. Four-time major winner came up short at the reachable par four second but missed his birdie putt. The third hole at Majlis is a 601 yard par five and McIlroy found the back of green with a big drive and a four iron.

Four-time major champion reached five under after holing his birdie putt at the third hole. Three-time Dubai Desert Classic winner had 146 yards for his second shot at par four fifth hole which ended up pin high. McIlroy had to settle for par at the fifth hole after missing his birdie putt. The Northern Irishman missed the fairway at sixth hole but achieved an incredible up and down to avoid a bogey. The seventh at Majlis is a par three that played 167 yards on day three. McIlroy hit an exceptional iron shot and held his birdie putt to reach six under. McIlroy played the eight hole in two over so far this week and set up a birdie opportunity after a sensational iron shot.

Hole seven, eight and nine were the three hardest holes on day three. McIlroy finished the front nine in style as he made three birdies in a row at the ninth. “Picking 3-up, birdieing 7, 8 and 9, which was fantastic”, said McIlroy. McIlroy was back to his best as he shot a front nine of 30.

McIlroy improved off the tee on day three as he hit eight fairways.

McIlroy made his sixth birdie of the round at par five 10th hole. The Northern Irishman missed the green at par three 11th but held a great par putt. Four-time major winner made short work of the par five 13th after a 349 yard drive as he reached 10 under. Three-time Dubai Desert Classic winner made three pars in a row at 14th, 15th and 16th hole to remain on 10 under. McIlroy hit driver at 346 yard drivable par four 17th hole but ended up with a disappointing par.

Another huge drive by McIlroy at the 18th as he had 213 yards for his second shot. McIlroy’s second shot came to rest at the back of 18th green. “I was walking up with the putter in my hand, and as I got closer to the ball, I saw that there was a lot of fringe to go through. I said to Harry, like I sort of want to chip it but the lie wasn't great”, said McIlroy. McIlroy made an eagle at the 18th from off the green to shoot 63. “It was tracking perfectly. Obviously a huge bonus for something like that to go in”, said McIlroy. McIlroy finished day three on 12 under.

After McIlroy finished he incredibly went into the lead for a while before Cameron Young finished day three on 14 under. “Definitely better than I played the last couple of days and nice to get myself right back in the tournament”, said Down native. McIlroy goes into day four on 12 under and has a chance to win his fourth Dubai Desert Classic. “It would be amazing. First player to get my name on it four times, yeah, it would be awesome”, said McIlroy. McIlroy has a great opportunity to bounce back after letting a lead slip at last weekend’s Dubai Invitational.