DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tommy Fleetwood surged into the lead of the Dubai Invitational after taking pictures an 8-under 63 within the third spherical Saturday to overhaul Rory McIlroy by 1 stroke.
Fleetwood made eight birdies in a flawless spherical, together with 4 over his first six holes, to maneuver to a 15-under whole of 198.
McIlroy had been out in entrance since opening with a 62 on Thursday and led by 2 strokes going into the third spherical. However he settled for a 67 that left him in sole possession of second place.
Thorbjorn Olesen was one other 2 pictures again in third after a 66.
Fleetwood has six wins on the European tour however was stunned when he was advised that that is the primary time since 2014 that he’s going into the ultimate spherical with the lead.
“That is a wierd stat,” Fleetwood stated, including that his early birdies gave him momentum with the putter. “It is humorous actually while you get a day like that and also you’re simply taking a look at them and you are feeling like … even the putts that miss come shut.”
His method pictures weren’t unhealthy both. He got here inside a number of inches of holing out for eagle from 147 yards on the par-4 sixth gap.
McIlroy discovered himself 3 pictures behind Fleetwood at one level however had 4 birdies on the again 9 to remain in rivalry. That included a 34-footer on the eleventh after hitting his tee shot right into a bunker.
“I believe simply first week again, being within the ultimate group, I began feeling a bit little bit of the thrill and the strain, making an attempt to win a golf match,” McIlroy stated. “You suppose you already know the place your recreation is till you play in it in a state of affairs like that. … I performed nicely on that again 9 and earned myself a tee time with [Fleetwood] tomorrow, and it will be good enjoyable. I am wanting ahead to it.”
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