For his part, Waring is determined not to fail by aiming low. He has suffered too many injuries in his career to shy away from the task.
“OK, I came here at 58th in the [Race to Dubai] standings and of course wanted to stay in the top who qualify for next week [the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai],” Waring, one of the most popular characters on the circuit, said. “But there are bigger things I want to achieve.
“For the top 25 in the standings at the end of next week, there is an Open spot next year. And if I get somewhere near a PGA Tour card … I know that’s a big ask and is going to require a couple of thirds or a couple of seconds or something. But why not have those goals?”
Why not indeed, especially when the world No 229 can belie his standing by conjuring shots such as his three-wood on the par-five 18th on Friday. From 265 yards, he hit to a few feet for a birdie and it even took pride of place over his chip-in for an eagle on the sixth. “It’s the best shot I have ever hit,” Waring said after signing for his 11-under magnificence, the lowest round of his career and a course record.
In 36 holes, Waring has made 18 birdies and an eagle to go with his solitary bogey. “My caddie is having a laugh with me – ‘just keep birding 50 per cent of the holes and we’ll be OK’,” he said.
There is rich quality in behind, however. Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Wallace are in a tie for sixth on 12 under, while McIlroy will take inspiration from being 10 behind after two rounds in Dubai at the start of the year and coming through on the weekend to prevail.
But for a triple-bogey six on the 17th, the world No 3 would be much closer, but he is not fretting. McIlroy looks almost assured of topping the Race to Dubai and so winning his sixth order of merit title.
