McIlroy keeping his foot down as he looks to hold off Penge

Rory McIlroy’s joint third place finish at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship increased his lead over Marco Penge at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings heading into this week’s DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy can clinch a fourth straight Harry Vardon Trophy and seventh in all in Dubai which would take him to within one of Collin Montgomerie’s long standing record of eight.

The Masters champion has stretched his lead over Penge from 441 points to 767 but with 2000 points on offer for the winner at the Earth course this week there is no room for complacency.

McIlroy might have some breathing space heading into Thursday but he can’t afford to leave anything to chance and would love to complete a clean sweep on Sunday by lifting his fourth DP World Tour Championship title.

“I just tried to keep my foot down and make as many birdies as possible knowing that, OK, I’m trying to win this tournament but also give myself the biggest cushion possible going into Dubai next week, as well,” McIlroy said after a DP World Tour career low 62 on Sunday.

“I really like that golf course (in Dubai). It really suits me. Probably suits me a little bit better than this course does this week just in terms of what you need to do off the tee and into the greens.”

Englishman Penge kept his hopes alive with a closing 63 to share ninth place. The three-time winner is looking to close out a breakthrough season where he won three times by claiming the season long race.

Penge said: “Mentally, me and my caddie were great today, and nice to go into next week shooting that score today.

“Obviously got off to a great start, starting birdie, birdie, birdie. I mean, I played great all week. The putter has been very cold up until today.

“Yesterday I was poor mentally and broke myself down a bit and wanted to come out today and fight back, and that’s what I did. Yeah, nice to shoot a low one.”