Rory McIlroy finally got into the flow in his quest for a third successive Dubai Desert Classic title with a four birdies on his back nine on Saturday to get to six-under-par.
The world number three is seven behind the leader Daniel Hillier after his three-under 69, his best round of the week so far, to lie in tied 12th position.
McIlroy has shown a flair for the Emirates Golf Club over the years, but will require a low 60s round, or the leaders to fall back, to win a fifth Dubai Desert Classic of his career on Sunday.
“I hit the ball well today. The conditions are pretty tough, windy. Hard to get the ball very close to the flags. And then when the wind is like this, on these greens, and they are getting a little faster, the wind can affect the ball a little bit.
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“I’d need to go out and shoot 63 tomorrow. If the conditions are right, I’ve been able to do that before, especially if you can make a score on the front nine before, as you say, that scorable back nine, my key tomorrow is if I can get off to a faster start and shoot three or four on the front, then I have a chance.”
Fellow Holywood golfer Tom McKibbin, who has hit the headlines over his proposed move to the LIV tour, is two shots better on eight under after a 69, five shots behind Hillier.
England’s Tyrrell Hatton is in second place after a 68 on day three, as he laid down an early signal of intent when he drove the green at the second and converted from eight feet for eagle but then made three bogeys in six holes from the fourth.
However, a flawless back nine featured close-range gains at the 10th, 11th and 16th before he converted from 20 feet at the last.
Overnight leader Ewen Ferguson shot a two-over 74 to lie third on 10 under.
