ROR’S DESERT STORM

RORY McILROY swept round in 65 to climb to within two strokes of joint leaders John Rahm and Mike Lorenzo-Vera at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. that are up there around the lead.

“You’ve got Rahm-bo who is playing great, Tommy, obviously and Mike is holding steady up there.

“I’ve got to play another really good round of golf to have a chance but it would be awesome to win around here again and obviously cap off what has been a great 2019.

“It is nice to come back to courses that you’re familiar with all the time and that brings its own advantages compared to maybe some of the other guys in the field.

“It’s been a great year so far and this is my last event.

“It would be wonderful going into the break to finish on a high.”

Spaniard Rahm hit seven birdies and one bogey for a 66 and Frenchman Lorenzo-Vera dropped a shot on the 18th after four birdies to finish with 69.

Lorenzo-Vera had led by three shots at the end of the second round but is now tied with Rahm, while Tommy Fleetwood sits four shots back in fourth place on 11-under after three birdies and a bogey in a third-round 70.

Rahm, who could become only the second Spaniard to win the Race to Dubai or its predecessor the European Order of Merit after the late Seve Ballesteros, refused to get carried away.

“It gives me goosebumps” he said. “I’ve said it many times, as a Spanish player, any time you join or you have the chance to put your name on that list is really emotional.”