Rory hits the front

Bid to end winless run

RORY McILROY is on course for his first win in more than a year after storming to the top of the leaderboard on day three of the Abu Dhabi Championship.

The Northern Irishman fired a five-under par 67 to move to 13 under, one shot clear of Tyrrell Hatton with a third European Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood another shot behind.

World No6 McIlroy produced five birdies and an eagle and then declared: ‘I have a real chance!’

The 31-year-old, competing in his first European Tour event in 14 months, has not lifted a trophy since winning the WGC Champions tournament in China in November 2019.

And while he will be the favourite to go on and claim a 15th European Tour win, he will be acutely aware of the calibre of player breathing down his neck and also the fact he has a knack of near misses at Abu Dhabi.

McIlroy is a four-time runner-up at Abu Dhabi Golf Club with another three third places, so no wonder he added: ‘If I go out there and continue to hit the ball like I hit it on the back nine, I’ll give myself plenty of chances.’ McIlroy’s position as Britain’s top player has come under threat in recent months with Hatton joining him in the world’s top 10, and the Englishman was the nearest challenger at 12 under after a 71.

He started the third round three shots ahead of McIlroy, but turned in 37 before taking advantage of the par-five 10th and holing from 40 feet on the 17th.

‘I was trying my best and obviously it was one of those days where I didn’t really feel like anything went my way,’ said Hatton. ‘The good thing is that I’m still in contention going into the final round.’

Fleetwood is a two-time winner of this event but his chances of a hat-trick looked slim when he was three over after 11 holes on Thursday. He has dropped just one shot since, however, and a second consecutive 67 put him right in the mix.

Scotland’s Marc Warren, who carded five birdies and a bogey in his round of 68, and American David Lipsky are another shot adrift on 10 under.

But there was to be no challenge from Justin Thomas. The American world No 3 missed the cut as did Matt Fitzpatrick and Shane Lowry.