DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

November 20, 2021

Rory McIlroy

Jumeirah Golf Estates

Quick Quotes

Q. Started with a bogey but reflect on a 5-under 67.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I thought I did well considering the start. Hit a nice little snap-hook with a 3-wood off the first tee out of nowhere, and I've been hitting that 3-wood pretty well all week.

I guess I missed the first two tee shots on the first two days right into the right desert, so I was maybe guarding against that one a little bit.

But yeah, after the bogey on 1, responded well with birdies on 2 and 3. Ended up turning at 3-under par and then back nine was good. I got off to a really nice start on the back nine. I didn't -- I gave myself a good chance on 14 and 16 and didn't convert those.

Then bogey on 17, which in the end was a good bogey. I just thought it was important to make birdie at the last to get into the final group as well. I knew that putt was to get into the final group, and I wanted to do that, so it was a nice way to finish.

Q. Talk us through the second shot on 17.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, Harry was pleading with me not to hit it, "Just go back, we can make four, we can make four at the last."

It was reminiscent -- you guys might have it on tape, I missed the second hole in Boston right a couple years ago when I was playing with Tiger, and I was trying to hit it out of the hazard, similar sort of thing and went straight into the water. Harry and I were both think of that when we were looking at it.

I just thought if I got enough on it, hit a descending blow on it would basically hop up and do what it did. I thought best I could do was in that far trap but it just stopped short of that.

Then I thought I made three with the chip shot, and I said to Collin walking up the last, "I don't know whose 3-wood would have been luckier, yours or mine." He made a lucky one yesterday.

But it was an important four. Kept somewhat of the momentum going, and hit two good shots on the last and nice to make a four there.

Q. Briefly on the opportunity to become the first player to win this championship three times tomorrow?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I'm right where I want to be. I want to be contending on Sundays in golf tournaments, and feel like I'm back to playing the way I should and the way that will get me back contending. I'm excited. I'm excited to go out there and try to pick up another one.