Round 3 review of Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy started his third round 10 shots behind the leader Cameron Young. McIlroy played his third round with Chile’s Joaquin Niemann. The Northern Irishman got off to a great start with two birdies in three holes. McIlroy made an important up and down for par at the sixth hole. Holes seven, eight and nine were playing the three hardest holes on the Majlis layout.
The four-time major winner hit exceptional iron shots and made three birdies in arow at the seventh, eight and ninth to shoot a front nine of 30. The back nine at Majlis gives you birdie chances with three par fives and a drivable par four. McIlroy took advantage of both the 10th and 13th hole to reach 10 under. On day two McIlroy only hit two fairways whereas on day three he found the short grass eight times. The three-time Dubai Desert Classic winner held a great par putt at the 15th hole to keep a bogey off his card.
The 17th played 346 yards and McIlroy missed the green with his tee shot but managed to escape with a par. The Northern Irishman hit a huge drive at the 18th hole and only had 213 yards for his second shot. McIlroy’s second shot came to rest off the green and finished by holing an unbelievable eagle putt. McIlroy is on 12 under and shot a round of 63. McIlroy’s playing partner Niemann is on eight under after shooting a round of 67.
Tommy Fleetwood started his third round eight shots behind Young. Fleetwood reached six under after two holes but followed it up with a disappointing par at the par five third. Fleetwood found the water at the par three seventh but managed to get up and down for bogey. Fleetwood made birdies at both the 10th and 13th hole to reach seven under. Fleetwood failed to take advantage of both the 17th & 18th and hole and had to settle for a two under round. Fleetwood goes into the final round on seven under.
Cameron Young started with an excellent opening birdie but was unsuccessful in taking advantage of the second and third hole. Young hit a sensational second shot at the par four sixth hole but missed his birdie putt. The American visited the water at the par three seventh which resulted in a double bogey. Young decelerated with his chip shot at the difficult eight hole and missed his par putt. Young dropped three shots in two holes and incredibly McIlroy was leading on 12 under.
Young returned to 12 under after a sensational tee shot at the par three 11th hole. Young made birdies at both the 13th and 17th hole to take a two shot lead to his 54th hole. The American found the fairway with his tee shot but his second shot found a greenside bunker. Young’s bunker shot at the 18th was extremely difficult as a misjudged shot could visit a water hazard. Young found the green and finished with a closing par. Young shot a round of 71 and takes a two shot lead into the final round.
Andy Sullivan played in the final group and had a day to forget as he shot a round of 78. Adrian Meronk played in the second last group and started with two birdies in three holes. Meronk made a bogey at the fifth hole due to a shank. The Polish star finished the front nine with a three putt bogey. Meronk returned to 12 under after birdies at the 10th and 13th hole.
Meronk hit an extraordinary second shot from 211 yards at the 16th hole but was unsuccessful with his birdie effort. The Polish star missed the 17th to the left but managed to escape with a par. Meronk finished on 12 under and shot a round of 70. Meronk’s playing partner Richie Ramsay started with a bogey and struggled as he shot a round of four over.
Twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard played together in the third last group. Rasmus struggled to hit fairways but held a couple of par saves and birdie putts to shoot an impressive front nine of two under. Rasmus made two birdies on the back nine but two errors at 11th and 16th resulted in bogeys. Rasmus shot a round of 70 and is on nine under.
Nicolai Hojgaard started his third round in excellent form with birdies at the second and fourth hole. Nicolai finished the front nine poorly with bogeys at the fifth, sixth, eight and ninth hole. Nicolai made two birdies on the back nine but also mistakes which resulted in bogeys at 12th and 16th hole. Nicolai shot a round of one over and is on six under. Rasmus was the victor of twins on day three.
2018 Dubai Desert Classic winner Haotong Li played his first five holes in two under before making an extraordinary birdie at the par three seventh. Li shot an excellent front nine of three under. Li reached 10 under after a birdie at the par five 13th. Li’s only bogey came at the drivable par four 17th. Li only managed a par at the closing hole to finish on nine under.
Alex Fitzpatrick started his round with an excellent up and down for par. Fitzpatrick’s highlight of day three was an eagle at the 10th hole. Fitzpatrick shot a round of 70 and is on seven under. Thorbjorn Olesen had a quiet round with only two birdies, one bogey and 15 pars. Olesen goes into the final round on seven under. Brian Harman four over, Tyrrell Hatton three under, Tom McKibbin & Ryan Fox four under and Adam Scott six under.
It's set up to be an unbelievable final round with McIlroy and Young in the final group. McIlroy will be looking to go one better than last week and win his fourth Dubai Desert Classic. Young is looking to win his first tournament either on DP World Tour or PGA Tour. it won’t just be a two horse race between McIlroy and Young as eight players are in seven shots of the lead. Hope you enjoy the final round of Dubai Desert Classic.