Garcia closes in on Dubai victory
Sergio Garcia will take a three-shot lead over Henrik Stenson into the final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The Spaniard has been superb throughout the week at Emirates Golf Club, and now finds himself on 16 under par following another quality round of four-under-par 68 on Saturday.
The tournament is far from won yet, however, particularly as Open champion Henrik Stenson is the man breathing down Garcia's neck.
The Swede shot a third-round 67 to lift himself into second place on 13 under.
Classic @henrikstenson. pic.twitter.com/YHxmh0IDam
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 4, 2017
Lying five shots back in a tie for third are England's Ian Poulter and Thailand's Prom Meesawat, who shot rounds of 67 and 68 respectively.
American Peter Uihlein and South African George Coetzee follow a further shot back in joint fifth place.
Saturday was a marathon day as the tournament caught up following Friday's wind delays.
Garcia finished his third round in darkness, birdying his 33rd hole of the day but looking none the worse for the wear despite the gruelling test.
Birdieing 18 in the darkness %uD83C%uDF03
Well played @TheSergioGarcia %uD83D%uDC4F%uD83D%uDC4F pic.twitter.com/Dp2qU58PV0
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 4, 2017
He started is third round three shots clear after signing for a 67 in the morning, and though his lead was cut down early, a three-under-par back nine would see him re-establish his cushion at the end of the day's play.
"At the end it was very, very dark, I'll tell you that," said Garcia at the end of the day. "When we were walking on 17, I thought, well, it will probably be a little dark but not too bad.
"But then it gets dark very, very quickly here. I couldn't really see much on the last three shots. I pretty much couldn't see the ball land and the last putt was a little bit of a feel and a little bit of the read that George gave me and I'm very fortunate to be able to make it.
"It wasn't easy, a little shaky here and there at the beginning but the back nine was great. A lot of good shots, a lot of good putts.
"I have a chance of winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic which is a great event. I'm going to give it my all tomorrow."
Both Garcia and Stenson will be gunning for their 12th European Tour title on Sunday.
Latest
-
Matt CooperPunter’s pointers: The Olympic Men’s Golf Competition
Who will emulate Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar in standing on the podium to collect Olympic medals this week?
-
NewsNacho Elvira dedicates dramatic Cazoo Open victory to Celia Barquin Arozamena
The 2018 European Ladies’ Amateur champion was murdered later in the year on a course in Iowa.
-
NewsMinjee Lee overturns a seven-shot deficit to take Evian Championship victory
A win over South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a play-off saw the Australian secure her first major title.
-
NewsMinjee Lee overturns a seven-shot deficit to take Evian Championship victory
A win over South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a play-off saw the Australian secure her first major title.
-
NewsMorikawa Clinches Second Career Major
It is fair to say that the recent 2021 edition was absolutely no different and with a number of early contenders once again falling.
-
NewsMatt Wallace out to show Padraig Harrington his desire to make Ryder Cup team
Wallace was overlooked for a wild card in 2018 despite winning for the third time in 15 starts.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa to reassess his goals after winning The Open at first attempt
The 24-year-old American has already won two majors.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Halfway to a career grand slam two years after turning pro
Collin Morikawa has added the Open to the US PGA, both of them won on tournament debut.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa eager to savour taste of success after debut Open triumph
The American became only the second person after Tiger Woods to win the Open and US PGA before the age of 25.