Rory McIlroy (19) heading for first

victory in Dubai Desert Classic

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Rory McIlroy birdied the first three holes of his final round as he opened up a three-shot lead at the Dubai Desert Classic.
The Northern Irish teenager had earlier returned to Emirates Golf Club to complete a third round five under par 67 to maintain his two-stroke lead.
The 19-year-old grabbed a birdie at the 18th to move onto 17 under par and two clear of in-form South African Louis Oosthuizen who had briefly trimmed the advantage to one a hole earlier.
But as the final round got under way McIlroy stormed out of the blocks with three straight birdies before a double bogey 6 at the fifth saw him slip back to 18 under for the championship after six holes.
Australian left hander Richard Green was the World Number 39’s nearest challenger – the 1997 winner in Dubai was two under for the round and 15 under overall having played seven holes.
Dubai resident Henrik Stenson was a shot further back while English duo Paul Casey and Justin Rose were 13 under.
LATER POSITIONS
McIlory four strokes clear with three to play
-21 after 15 holes Rory McIlroy.
-17 after 15 holes Justin Rose.
-16 after 15 holes Henrik Stenson.
-15 after 17 holes Robert Karlsson.
-15 after 15 holes Paul Casey.
-14 after 16 holes Martin Kaymer.
COMPLETED TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
275 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 72 70 67 66.
276 Sergia Garcia (Spa) 70 66 73 67.
277 Colin Montgomerie (Sco) 70 70 70 67.
284 Gary Orr (Sco) 71 70 71 72.
285 Lee Westwood (Eng) 70 70 73 72.
287 Alastair Forsyth (Sco) 71 70 75 71.
296 Paul Lawrie (Sco) 68 75 74 79
+Paul Lawrie's halves in his final round were 41-38. He had three double bogeys over his third and fourth rounds but not in his 79.