Rory McIlroy is poised for a strong finish at the Dubai Invitational, trailing leader Nacho Elvira by three shots heading into the final round. McIlroy, ranked second in the world, recorded a third-round score of 68 at the Dubai Creek Resort on Saturday, bringing his total to five under par.
Leaderboard Overview
Nacho Elvira tops the leaderboard, aiming for his third DP World Tour title after carding a consistent 68 on Saturday. Following him are:
- Shane Lowry – Tied for second with 142 after a round of 70.
- Marcus Armitage – Also tied for second, finishing with a score of 68.
- Dylan Frittelli – Tied at second place after an impressive round of 66.
Round Performance
McIlroy started the tournament strong with an opening 66 but faltered in round two, scoring 74. He noted an improvement in his third round, avoiding water hazards that plagued him earlier. “I kept the ball dry and stayed patient,” he stated, reflecting on his round.
Lowry faced challenges as he dropped shots early in his round but recovered to score three birdies later on. The former Open champion aims for his first title since winning the BMW PGA Championship in 2022.
Upcoming Tournament
McIlroy views the Dubai Invitational as a valuable opportunity to prepare for the upcoming Dubai Desert Classic. Despite treating it as a practice week, he expressed his desire to secure a win.
Additional Competitors
Other competitors include Ewen Ferguson and Matt Wallace, who both reached three under par. Tommy Fleetwood improved his standing from a previous 78 to a third-round 66, finishing at level par.
As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on the final battle for the title at the Dubai Invitational. Will Rory McIlroy close the gap on Nacho Elvira, or will the Spaniard secure the win?
