Rory McIlroy’s first 33 holes at the DP World Tour Championship were, as he put it, “quite average.”
He was right. Seven birdies against six bogeys to open his championship is, by his high standard, quite average indeed.
Then came the final three holes Friday in Dubai.
With Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton in front at 12 under, McIlroy needed some magic to keep the leaders within striking distance headed into the weekend.
A birdie-birdie-eagle finish after a lackluster start certainly qualifies as magic for the No. 1 player in the world.
“It was nice to finish with a flourish and at least have some positivity going into the weekend,” McIlroy said.