Paul Dunne closes in on second European Tour title

Ireland’s Paul Dunne will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Open de Espana after firing four-under-par 68 for a 17 under total at Centro Nacional de Golf on Saturday.
Dunne began day three with a three-shot lead and managed to stay on top of the leaderboard as home favourite Nacho Elvira fired a third round 66 cutting the Irishman's lead to one shot going into Sunday's final round.
Next at 15 under was World No.4 Jon Rahm of Spain and Swede Swede Henric Sturehed, one ahead of Brett Rumford of Australian and two ahead of England's Andy Sullivan.
"It's probably the best my swing has felt, the best my body has felt like it's been moving, but I just didn't pull the shots off," said Dunne afterwards.
"There was a lot of grinding there on the back nine but I'm happy to get in with four under. Probably wouldn't have taken it at the start of the day but given the shots that I hit, I'm pretty happy with it leading into tomorrow.
"Everything feels good, the game feels great, I just didn't pick shots. I hit a few shots without having a shot in mind so that's something to work on for tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have a good day. I'm confident about tomorrow."
Dunne made a slow start getting up and down from a bunker on the fifth for a first birdie of the day and a two-shot lead, as Elvira also make a gain on the par five.
Then Dunne hammered his drive five feet from the flag on the par three sixth to five feet as Sturehed cut the gap with a brilliant chip-in birdie on the ninth, Dunne holed a 35-footer on the seventh.
The leader made par saves on the 14th and 15th as Rahm and Sturehed both birdied the last to get to 15 under.
Dunne found water off the tee on the 17th for a bogey but managed to birdie the 18th, as did Elvira.
Rumford nailed six birdies and two bogeys in his 68, while Sullivan followed up his remarkable 75-63 start with a 65, which included eight birdies and a bogey, as he came storming back into contention.
Third Round Leaderboard:
1. Paul Dunne -17 (66 65 68) 199
2. Nacho Elvira -16 (68 66 66)
3. Henric Sturehed -15 (67 68 66)
Jon Rahm (67 68 66)
5. Brett Rumford -14 (68 66 68)
6. Andy Sullivan -13 (75 63 65)
7. Jorge Campillo -12 (70 67 67)
Aaron Rai (67 71 66)
Marc Warren (66 69 69)
10. Maximilian Kieffer -11 (69 67 69)
Bradley Neil (71 66 68)
Andrew Johnston (68 68 69)
Jacques Kruyswijk (69 70 66)
Latest
-
News
‘My best is ahead of me’ – Justin Rose motivated by winning majors, not rankings
The Englishman endured a first winless season since 2009 in 2020 and starts this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic ranked 38th in the world.
-
News
Justin Rose concerned about his chances of defending his Olympic title
Rose won gold in Rio in 2016 but the former world number one is currently outside the qualifying places.
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.