ABU DHABI // A week that began with Rory McIlroy speeding across a fairway on a novelty scooter will conclude with a mad dash to the finish line.
That is how it played out at the fog-hit Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Saturday, when another delayed day of action ended with a five-way lead, 21 players within three shots of the summit and only 13 third rounds completed.
Organisers will hope for a bright and breezy start Sunday, since if it does not, then the tournament deadline becomes a little, ahem, hazy.
So, temporarily at least, the Race to Dubai has morphed into the Rush through Abu Dhabi.
“There’s a lot of people around the lead,” said McIlroy, who managed only nine holes of his third round having settled his second round earlier in the day. “So it will be a bit of a sprint to the finish tomorrow.”
Hopefully everyone will take note. The European Tour this week introduced a new time regulation designed to speed up play, something they may well be tempted to push to ensure the event is done and dusted by lights-out Sunday.
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At this point, guessing whoever will be left clutching the Falcon Trophy represents little more than a stab in the dark. McIlroy shares the lead on 10 under-par alongside bright lights Ian Poulter, Rickie Fowler, Branden Grace and Joost Luiten.
Another five-star bunch, led by world No 5 Henrik Stenson and the fast-improving Andy Sullivan, lies one behind. Notable names are also close by, with world No 1 Jordan Spieth and Martin Kaymer, a three-time Abu Dhabi champion, three shots back on 7-under. So, too, Bryson DeChambeau, the American amateur with the flat cap and, apparently, the flat-line game.
Contesting his first regular European Tour event, UAE golf fans are getting a first look at the throwback DeChambeau, whose attire is rather different, as is his swing, presumably a by-product from the fact he cuts his irons to the same size.
Playing in the same three-ball, McIlroy encountered DeChambeau for the first time, as well. Turns out he liked what he saw.
“Great guy, first and foremost,” the world No 3 said. “Very polite, very courteous, and obviously the method he has is very much his own. It’s funny, even he was walking just ahead of us down the first fairway with the cap on and the trousers and whatever, it sort of reminded me of what it was like to play with [Ben] Hogan.”
No faint praise, then. If DeChambeau nods to history, then Fowler is more Back to the Future. Known for being something of a trendsetter, the American has at times this week swapped his usual Puma golf shoes for high-tops, helping him get around his second appearance at the National Course.
The four birdies in 11 holes played Saturday suggested his comfort level is rising. In the process, so is he.
“Yeah, looking forward to tomorrow,” Fowler said. “A lot of golf to be played. More time to make birdies.”
Poulter was back on the birdie trail, too. The Englishman, fresh from a star role in last week’s EurAsia Cup, has finally found some form – a welcome return given he has not won in more than three years and has thus slipped out of the world’s top 50.
He injured his thumb earlier this week, but the dodgy digit has not hampered him, with Poulter playing the 13 holes of his third round in 5-under. Vaulting into that top group provided understandable cheer.
“It’s nice to see myself on the board,” he said. “It’s nice to get off to a good start to 2016 and hopefully I can continue that through tomorrow and have a good finish.”
The EurAsia Cup definitely helped, especially because Poulter typically comes alive in a team environment.
“Sure, it’s match-play golf, and you go head-to-head, and whenever you go head-to-head, you get the juices going,” he said. “So I think it’s done me some good. I’m looking forward to what the challenge is for the next 23 holes.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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