Dubai Classic still playing catch-up
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2009 Dubai Desert Classic | Round Three | 01 Feb 2009
The Dubai Desert Classic is still well behind the eight-ball in terms of timing, the overflow of rounds one and two ensuring the third round will not be completed until Sunday morning.
Northern Ireland’s teenage sensation Rory McIlroy has the lead at 15 under by two over Richard Green and Louis Oosthuizen but with still eight holes to play for the final group, things could well change dramatically before round three is over.
McIlroy eagled his final hole before darkness after a brilliant approach at the par five 11th moved him ahead of Green and Oostuizen.
McIlroy is still looking for his first win on the European Tour but most feel it is just a matter of time and when it comes it will be the first of many in a career destined to rival many of the greats from the Emerald Isle.
Previous winner, Richard Green, is again in contention on a golf course where he has often performed well, while for Oosthuizen, his brilliant start to 2009 continues as he looks to follow up consecutive runner up finishes in Abu Dhabi and Qatar with his first European Tour victory.
Justin Rose gave every indication that his recent run of poor form might be coming to an end when he moved to 11 under and into outright fourth position with eight holes to play.
Scott Strange is the next best Australian after Green. Strange has just two holes to play on Sunday morning but is 6 under for his round and, at 10 under for the tournament, he shares 5th position with Martin Kaymer, Thomas Levet and Paul Casey.
Mark Brown is 24th and Brett Rumford 38th, completing a group of four who had made the cut.
