Saturday 19 November 2016 13:14, UK
Rory McIlroy was left frustrated after failing to capitalise on a fast start to the third round of the DP Word Tour Championship in Dubai.
The world No 2 briefly moved to within four strokes of the lead after birdieing four of his first 10 holes at Jumeirah Golf Estates, only to miss a series of chances after the turn and card a four-under 68.
Last year's Race to Dubai champion followed three gains on the front nine by picking up a shot at the 10th, but failed to make further inroads along the back nine.
McIlroy's only other birdie came at the par-five 15th, before he bogeyed the last after firing his approach in to the creek running the length of the hole.
"I think I turned a 62 in to a 68 somehow, it was just one of those days," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "I hit a lot of good shots but didn't hole many putts.
"(I hit) a great drive, second shot had 207 (yards) to the pin into the wind. Maybe just was a little too aggressive with it and pulled it slightly and just got punished for a bad shot."
McIlroy needs to retain his Dubai title this week to have any chance of finishing the year as Race to Dubai champion for a fourth time in five seasons.
The Northern Irishman has never finished worse than 11th in seven appearances at the event, but after rounds of 75, 68 and 68 will head in to Sunday outside of the top 20.
"It could have been a lot better than it was and I could have got back in to it, but it wasn't meant to be," McIlroy added.
"I want to go out and play well tomorrow, try and post a good score and feel good about myself going into the next couple of months before I tee it up again."
Watch the DP World Tour Championship live on Sunday from 7.30am on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
