Stenson stays in the lead

European Tour
  • November 22, 2014

Henrik Stenson stayed on course to retain his DP World Tour Championship title on Saturday when he grabbed a share of the lead.

Stenson fired a bogey-free, four-under 68 in Saturday’s third round, to tie with Rafa Cabrera-Bello on -14.

The Swede carded birdies on the fourth, eighth, 14th and 15th holes, but also missed two puts from within three feet when sinking either would have given him the outright lead.

“I was striking the ball better than yesterday but was not quite as hot on the greens and left a couple of shots out there,” the European Tour website reports him to have said.

“All in all it was a good day and we’re still at the races so I am pretty pleased.”

Stenson finished the first round tied for fifth after carding a 68, but took the lead at the halfway mark after a 66 in Friday’s second.

Should he manage to hold the lead for a third time, Stenson will achieve a career first by retaining the title.

Cabrera-Bello has also previously won in Dubai – at the Dubai Desert Classic two years ago – and was in excellent form on Saturday.

The Spaniard carded seven birdies and stayed bogey-free to fire the joint lowest score of 65.

“Obviously it’s been a very special round for me today. I’m really, really pleased with the score, and obviously with the good finish,” he said.

“The short game and putting has been unbelievable, probably the best day of my life for short game.

“I think that that’s what helped me hang in there on the front nine and I did play better on the back nine.

“I was playing more aggressive going for it, hitting good shots, and giving myself a lot of chances and I did make some of them.”

England’s Justin Rose holds third on 11-under after his 68 on Saturday, and four players are tied for fourth below him.

Frenchman Victor Dubuisson fired a 67, England’s Tyrrell Hatton shot 68, Thorbjorn scored 69 and Rory McIlroy shot a 70.

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