Rory McIlroy stormed into contention with a third round 65 at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday.
The seven-under-par round vaulted the Holywood man up to 12-under-par in total and just three shots behind the leader Jon Rahm heading into the last 18 holes.
McIlroy opened his third round with an ugly bogey on the first hole, but he followed that with an eagle on par-five second hole.
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The world number one stumbled again, though, as a missed fairway led to another bogey on the third hole.
But from the fifth hole onwards, McIlroy drove the ball sensationally well to make mincemeat of many of the holes at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Two birdies on the 8th and 9th holes saw McIlroy make the turn in 33 strokes before he picked up another shot on the 10th hole.
Further birdies would follow on the 14th, 15th and 18th holes to card a 65 and be within reach of Rahm, who matched McIlroy's 65.
McIlroy is always eyeing the Race to Dubai title and is currently projected to be crowned Europe's No. 1, although England's Matt Fitzpatrick does have the chance to overhaul him on Sunday.
It would be McIlroy's third time winning the DP World Tour Championship if he is to win on Sunday.
Not only would he win the $3,000,000 tournament first prize, the 33-year-old would also win the $2,000,000 bonus for winning the Race to Dubai.
McIlroy, who also won the FedEx Cup title on the PGA Tour in 2022, feels landing the Harry Vardon Trophy would be an excellent way to end a fantastic year.
He said: “It’s really cool, I’ve got to this stage in the game, over 15 years as a pro, and I’m still trying to do things for the first time.
“I’ve never won the FedEx Cup and this tour’s rankings in the same year, so it would be really nice.
“It’s been a wonderful year. I’ve played some really, really great golf and really consistent golf.
“If I’m able to go out there tomorrow and shoot a good score and get the job done, it would be a really nice way to end what’s been a great year.”
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