Saturday 6 February 2016 16:15, UK
Rory McIlroy admits his hopes of retaining his Dubai Desert Classic title are all-but over, despite a late run of birdies for the second day running.
McIlroy was outside the projected cut after 11 holes on Friday and once again struggled through the front nine during the third round, but made a move up the leaderboard with a strong finish.
The world No 2 found himself eight strokes off the lead at the turn, but went on to fire six birdies along the back nine to card a four-under 68.
Although the bogey-free finish takes the Northern Irishman to eight under for the week, McIlroy feels he may have left himself too much to do for a third Desert Classic crown.
"It is going to be a long shot," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "I came back from seven shots behind at Wentworth a couple of years ago, so it's not out of the realms of possibility.
"But at the same time, you know, it's a great field here, and I need the wind to blow a lot this afternoon and I need to play a front nine tomorrow just like I played the back nine there today.
"I've played the back nine this week very well, so there's a lot there to sort of take from that. There's just a few too many mistakes in there that I need to try and figure out why they are happening."
Resuming six shots off the pace at the Emirates GC, McIlroy got off to a strong start by pitching to two feet from the rough at the second for an early birdie, only to give the shot back after missing the green off the tee at the par-three seventh.
A double-bogey six at the ninth after finding the hazard left McIlroy two over for the day, but the defending champion bounced back with three gains over the next four holes.
After carding a birdie-two at the 15th, McIlroy picked up another shot at the 17th before finding the par-five final green in two and two-putting for a seventh gain of the day.
"I just think I haven't quite figured out the front nine yet," McIlroy added. "The last two days, I've played the front nine in a combined five over par, and that's just not good enough.
"There are more chances on the back nine and more opportunities for birdies, but you know, there's no reason why I shouldn't be playing better golf on the front nine.
"That's really what's cost me this week, and depending on what the guys do this afternoon, I might be just a few shots too far back to make that up tomorrow."
Watch the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Coverage gets underway at 8am.
