Published Saturday, 28 January 2012
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at the Abu Dhabi open. (© Getty)
McIlroy, who is tied for third on nine under with three other players, said he has been watching the former world number one closely.
"I've seen up close how Tiger is playing and I feel if I play my best I've got a great chance.
"It will be a bit different not playing with him. Tiger will bring most of the crowd and maybe I can go quietly about my business," he said.
The 22-year-old US Open champion from Co Down would have been sharing that top spot with Woods if he had not incurred his two-stroke penalty for brushing sand away off the ninth green in his second round, but a 68 kept him firmly in the hunt.
Woods joked that "it will be nice to get rid of him" after playing with McIlroy three days in a row - and also for nine holes of practice.
Delighted though he was with his position, the former world number one was not inclined to scream "I'm back" afterwards.
"I was just kind of consistent. I didn't do a whole lot wrong, I didn't do a whole lot right," he said.
"Six birdies piled up, but I was methodically going about my business and grinding.
"This course is playing difficult enough. You can make birdies, but you can go the wrong way quickly. I've still got to post a good number," he added.