Race to Dubai: Rory McIlroy repeats sand trick to keep Willett in check
The Northern Irishman retains a slender hold on the Race to Dubai title
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Your support makes all the difference.To be confronted by sand in the desert is hardly a novelty. To escape it twice on the same hole and still record a birdie is worthy of note and helped Rory McIlroy to an opening 68 at the European Tour finale in Dubai yesterday.
McIlroy raised a finger in the air after chipping out of a bunker at the last, both acknowledging the brilliance of the escape and his slender hold on the Race to Dubai title over principal rival and playing partner Danny Willett, who also recorded a closing birdie for a 68 via the more conventional putting route.
McIlroy conceded his work on the back nine was at times “ugly” yet it was still good enough to leave him two off the lead in a tie for sixth. The malfunction with the shorter irons on the closing two holes, where he was well right of the target on each occasion and on 17 required a chip off the putting surface, was more anomaly than anything fundamental.
I felt like it was a little bit of a struggle at times but to finish the way I did makes it feel a lot better
“It’s nice to get around in 68. I felt like it was a little bit of a struggle at times but to finish the way I did makes it feel a lot better,” he said. “It never really looked like a four on 18. I hit into the bunker off the tee, hit a good lay-up shot but terrible third shot. It was one of those ones where you just had to get it out and it could trundle its way toward the hole. I knew I could get it close [but was] pleased to see it drop in.”
Unlike McIlroy, who was idle last week and had been in Dubai for six days, Willett flew in from Beijing on Monday and was still adjusting to the desert clock. “It’s quite a short week after flying in from China, trying to get your body back on the right time,” the Englishman said.
There were no such problems for Ian Poulter after a round of 66, one of four in a share of the lead on six under par. Poulter is pursuing his own rankings agenda this week seeking to maintain his status in the world’s top 50, the automatic entry point into golf’s major tournaments. Currently in 50th spot, Poulter, who required a cortisone injection to counter a foot injury, needs to hold out over the next three days to halt the slide.
“There’s a lot at stake,” he said. “I think more of it is probably pride than anything else. Dropping outside the top 50 isn’t very nice. Being down the list on the order of merit is not very nice. And putting some points on the board for the Ryder Cup would definitely be very helpful.”
Martin Kaymer, Andy Sullivan and Marcus Fraser sit alongside Poulter at the top of the leader board.
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