November 16, 2024
Dubai, UAE
Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth Course
Quick Quotes
Q. Your thoughts after that? I guess a slight bittersweet feeling coming off 18?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, a little bit. Yeah, after the birdie on 12, you know, I had a good chance, I hit a really good shot into 13 and just caught the edge. And then 14 and 15 are birdie holes, and not being able to birdie either of those, and only with a 6-iron in my hand going into the last green and not making birdie there, as well.
A little disappointed how I played those last five holes, but still obviously in a really good position heading into tomorrow.
Q. And that's the overall takeaway, isn't it, because it is an exciting position for the final competitive round of the year.
RORY McILROY: It is. Tied for the lead. You know, going out on a golf course that I really like and that I've had success on before.
Yeah, look, it's a great opportunity to end the year on a really high note. Going to go out there tomorrow and give it everything I can and hopefully things fall my way and I'm able to stand on that 18th green with both trophies.
Q. How important is it to have both of those trophies at the end?
RORY McILROY: I've been able to do it twice before. Yeah, twice before. So yeah, to do it again would be great. I've been really proud of my consistency, especially on this tour, the tournaments I haven't -- just European Tour events, Rolex Series Events, doesn't feel like I've finished outside the top five in many of them this year. It would be a great way to finish the year.
Q. Would that grade that you gave yourself at the start of the week go to an A- or a B+?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, I think walking away with four worldwide wins this year would be really nice. Yeah, I'd have to reflect on it but it would definitely make the year feel nice.
Q. That second shot on 18, was that the most disappointing shot of the day?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, it was. I sort of let it -- I was ready to hit, and then it just seemed like the group in front weren't really hurrying to get off the back of green and felt like I had to wait an extra two or three minutes for that. So let that affect me a little bit and I came out of the 6-iron.
It's hard. That's always a hard bunker shot going towards the water there. Left myself in a good spot and hit a good putt. Just a little too firm on that one.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
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