Tom McKibbin will be hoping to put off-course distractions aside to claim a second DP World Tour title as he sits in a tie for sixth heading into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
The Holywood golfer endured an eventful up and down round, but settled for a three-under par 69 to sit on eight-under par, five strokes off leader, Daniel Hillier of New Zealand.
Rory McIlroy also carded a 69 to climb to six-under par but it will take something magical for the four-time major winner to win the title for the third year in a row.
McKibbin is better placed though and he willll be hoping to hit the headlines for on-course reasons after the build-up was dominated by his rumoured move to LIV Golf and words of warning from McIlroy and Pádraig Harrington, who failed to make the cut.
McKibbin’s highlight was undoubtedly an eagle on the par-five 13th enabled by a simply stunning approach between two palm trees to inside four feet.
The rest of his card featured five birdies and four bogeys – with back-to-back birdies on the closing holes allowing him to walk off satisfied.
FULL LEADERBOARD
McIlroy required a fast start to get back into the mix, but it was a steady seven pars before a bogey at the eighth left him over par going out.
The back nine was much better though with a quartet of birdies, and no dropped shots, leaving him just about in contention.
Hillier's card was littered with four bogeys, including three in a row from the 13th to the 15th, but birdies at the 17th and 18th gave him a round of 70.
England's Tyrell Hatton sits a shot behind Hillier on 12-under par.
Hatton looked set to take control of the tournament as he drove the green for an eagle at the second, but three bogeys over the next seven holes temporarily stopped his forward momentum.
Four birdies on the back nine led to a four-under 68 to ensure a place in the final group, one shot back ahead of the final round.
