Rory McIlroy was the top name on the leaderboard after the first two days of the Dubai Invitational. Tommy Fleetwood (15) has a one shot lead over Rory McIlroy (14 under), thanks to his 8-under-63 on Saturday.
Fleetwood recorded eight birdies in the third round. This included a run of three consecutive birdies on the back nine starting at Nos. 12-14.
Fleetwood said to the media that he felt he could come close on a day when puttingts were going in.
“So yeah, it’s a nice day to be on the golf course.”
Dubai Invitational: Leaderboard
Fleetwood’s last victory was at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, in December 2022, when he tied for 47th place at The Sentry on the PGA Tour.
After their third round at the Dubai Invitational, Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and Tommy Fleetwood from England hugged after their third round at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on January 13, 2024. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images).
World No. McIlroy (2nd) (14 under par) made the turn on Saturday with an even-par 36 after trading a birdie and a bogey. He turned it up on the back nine and made four birdies, including three in a row from Nos. 11-13. 11-13.
McIlroy admitted that it was “a bit of a slower start” this time. “You know, yeah, it was kind of a slow beginning, but I really got going on the back nine.”
“I shot 4-under to try and keep up with Tommy. You know, I played well on the back nine, so I earned a tee-time with him tomorrow. It’ll be fun. “I’m looking forward it.”
McIlroy teamed up with Fleetwood at the Ryder Cup in 2023 on two occasions, going 2-0. They won against Xavier Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay during Friday morning’s foursomes and Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth on Saturday morning.
Thorbjorn Olsen, Thriston Lombard, and Jordan Smith are all tied for fourth place at 11 under.
Near hole out eagle @TommyFleetwood1
#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/fkL1nLSdWU
— DP World Tour 13 January 2024
