Tom McKibbin is just one of a host of players standing between Rory McIlroy and a fifth Hero Dubai Desert Classic win after they shot matching 69s in tough conditions at Emirates Golf Club in round three.

As world number three McIlroy made four birdies on his back nine to haul himself to the fringes of contention, McKibbin birdied his last two holes to go into Sunday just five shots behind the New Zealander Daniel Hillier (26) on eight-under.

Buoyed by a switch to a new putter this week, McKibbin (22) made four bogeys in his round in testing, blustery conditions on a golf course that is firming up with every round,

But a birdie hat-trick from the second, an eagle three at the 13th and those two closing birdies have given him a chance to notch a second DP World Tour win before his expected move to LIV Golf.

Hillier was three under for the day and four clear with six holes to go but after dropping three shots in a row from the 13th, he closed with two birdies to shoot 70 and lead by a shot on 13-under from McKibbin’s potential LIV team mate Tyrrell Hatton, who shot a hard-fought 68.

“It would be life-changing,” 2023 BritishMasters winner Hillier said of claiming what would be his second DP World Tour title after failing to notch a top 10 in 2024.  

“Last year was pretty  tough. It was a bit of a grind. I was getting pretty frustrated with myself towards the end of the year.

“But I just gave myself a bit of a break and some time to reset and I'm feeling feeling fresh and I’m in a better headspace and everything. So, yeah, excited for tomorrow.”

Halfway leader Ewen Ferguson shot 74 to slip to third on 10-under, three behind Hillier, with Ryan Fox and Laurie Canter tied for fourth on nine-under and McKibbin a shot further back in four way tie for sixth.

McIlroy has even more work to do as he’s seven shots off the lead in 12th as he seeks his third successive win in the event and his fifth overall.

The Holywood star knows he may now need to shoot an eight-under 63 to have a chance but he also knows it’s possible having shot that score en route to victory last year.

“Depends on what the conditions are tomorrow, don't think the winning score will go much past 13 (under),” McIlroy said of his chances of another win in Dubai.  

“But I mean, 15 (under), so 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 that scoreable 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.”

Nine strokes behind Ferguson overnight, the Co Down man (35) got off to a slow start to round three as he followed seven opening pars with a bogey at the eighth.

After scrambling for par at the ninth, where he had to make an eight footer, he finally got going on the back nine.
Driving the ball well, he picked up shots at the par-five 10th and 13th, the short 15th and the par-five 17th.

The former world number one will need to produce special to claim victory as Hatton is eyeing his fifth Rolex Series win after rolling in a 20 footer at the 18th for birdie and a 68 despite not being 100pc happy with his game.

“I don't feel super comfortable over the ball,” Hatton confessed. “I don't know why that is. But for the most part I've been hitting some good shots.  

“Feel like I've been a little bit unlucky at times as well out there but that's kind of part and parcel of golf.

“It's been nice to see a few putts go in. Obviously I've missed a few as well but yeah, I need some putts to drop tomorrow.”