Sports

Rory McIlroy extends lead to 4 shots with 6-under 66 in 3rd round of Dubai Desert Classic

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a ball on the 16th hole during round three of the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (The Associated Press)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a ball on the 16th hole during round three of the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (The Associated Press)

Rory McIlroy extended his lead to four shots with a 6-under 66 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday.

The top-ranked McIlroy, who led by a stroke overnight, made just one birdie in the back nine on the Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club after five birdies in his first eight holes.

With an overall 20-under 196, McIlroy can challenge the tournament winning record of 22 under, set by Stephen Gallacher in 2013 and Thomas Bjorn in 2001.

Denmark's Morten Orum Madsen (66), who shot a 9-under 63 on Friday, is second.

The $2.5 million tournament forms the closing leg of the three-stop Desert Swing of the European Tour.