Rory McIlroy outlines the change he wants to happen to the golf course at the HSBC Championship on the final two days

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Rory McIlroy will have to go low on Saturday if he’s to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Club.

McIlroy, who is testing out a new-looked swing in Abu Dhabi, is currently ten under after carding back-to-back 67s. However, the Northern Irishman will no doubt have left the course disappointed on Friday.

The four-time major winner was seven under before reaching the par-three 17th, Yas Links’ most challenging hole. McIlroy would go on to find two bunkers and eventually make a triple bogey six.

Thankfully, McIlroy bounced back with a birdie on the par-five finishing hole. Despite the late disappointment, the Northern Irishman remains confident in his ability to go low in round three.

Rory McIlroy wants firm course at HSBC Championship

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Speaking during his post-round press duties, McIlroy admitted he would like to see the course firm up in order to boost his chances of victory.

“I would like to see the course get a bit firmer. There were a couple of greens today, which got a bit shinier and trickier. I need the course to firm up and toughen up a bit to have a chance,” said the 17 DP World Tour winner.

McIlroy continued: “There are so many getable holes out there, the par fives and some of the shorter par fours. I shot 63 on Saturday in Dubai this year; I am going to need something similar, if not lower, to give myself a chance going into Sunday. But I know it’s out there. I was seven under through 13 holes today, so it is possible.”

Paul Waring the man to catch for Rory McIlroy

Englishman Paul Waring made Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship history at Yas Links after carding a course record 62. The 39-year-old is five shots clear of a four-way tie for second.

Facing a nine-shot deficit, it will take a spectacular couple of days for McIlroy to contend coming down the stretch on Sunday afternoon.

The triple-bogey aside, McIlroy’s numbers are pretty impressive compared to the rest of the field in Abu Dhabi. The Northern Irishman is first for driving distance, third for putting average and second for putts per GIR.

Furthermore, McIlroy is 14th in scrambling. The signs are positive; it’s now about going low on Saturday and giving himself a chance heading into the final day.