McIlroy aims to leave rivals behind
Maybe he needs some inspiration, or perhaps it is just the child in him, but Rory McIlroy rushed off to catch the movie 2012 soon after completing another steady round that pushed him right into contention for the silverware.
The tagline for Hollywood's latest apocalyptic blockbuster showing in cinemas around the city reads: 'Who will be left behind?' McIlroy, 20, will surely take some encouragement after watching the movie last night as he prepares this morning to mount an assault on a title that slipped his grasp last year.
'I went to see 2012 on Friday night, but all the tickets were sold out and they had only one left. I will go tonight with Graeme [McDowell],' McIlroy said on Twitter yesterday morning.
He confirmed yesterday afternoon, after shooting 65 in the third round (his best score all week), that he was on his way to the action- disaster film.
'I don't have anyone to go with,' he smilingly told the media. If he had wished, he could have had his female fans lining up for a popcorn-date, as the likeable Northern Irishman is a huge hit with the Hong Kong fans.
Large galleries have been trailing him all week, and yesterday was no exception as his flight - which also included England's Ian Poulter - attracted the biggest following.
And they had a thoroughly entertaining time, as McIlroy's round was action-packed. It had everything in it, the agony, the ecstasy, the pain and the joy.
'Yes, there was everything in my round,' laughed McIlroy after he carded a double-bogey, a bogey, an eagle and a healthy sprinkling of birdies.
Twelve months ago, McIlroy was denied the Hong Kong Open prize by Lin Wen-tang's escape shot in the nerve-tingling play-off. Yesterday, he had placed himself in the picture again, and was looking forward to taking that extra step.
If McIlroy does it today, he can answer the 2012 tagline. For everyone else will be left behind.
