Patrick Reed prolonged his result in 4 photographs forward of the ultimate spherical of the Hero Dubai Desert Basic as Viktor Hovland surged into competition on Saturday.
Reed, who led by a shot going into Saturday’s third spherical, was solely degree par after two bogeys and two birdies in his first six holes, however then regained management of his sport – and the event – as he made 5 extra birdies with out blemish at Emirates Golf Membership.
Norway’s Hovland tied for the low spherical of the day as he shot a seven-under par 65 to maneuver inside 5 strokes of Reed, with Spain’s David Puig a shot nearer to the American in second.
Rory McIlroy was unable to catapult himself into competition, making simply two birdies on his approach to capturing a 71, which left him 11 photographs again from Reed.
England’s Andy Sullivan began the day a shot again from Reed however was left alongside Hovland in third after solely managing to shoot a 71.
Francesco Molinari completed alongside Andrea Pavan on eight-under because the Italian pair didn’t push on from robust positions, each additionally capturing 71.
Reed advised Sky Sports activities Golf: “I used to be capable of experience the ship there early in that spherical and salvage that entrance 9 by attending to a couple-under, then assault these par fives.
“The swing felt actually good as soon as I acquired halfway by the entrance 9, so due to that I had all the boldness on the earth to exit and assault this place.”
The American performs on the LIV Golf tour, which makes his alternative to say world rating factors at this occasion all of the extra essential.
“It is crucial to get the world rating factors, however actually for me the largest factor is to return out right here and get a win,” Reed added.
“I used to be shut right here two years in the past so hopefully we will come out right here and play some stable golf and have a chance. It would not matter how huge of a lead you’ve got, it is all the time onerous to shut it out. I am up for the problem. The massive factor goes out tomorrow and simply performing like everyone seems to be at even par and attempting to win the day.”
McIlroy parred each gap on the entrance 9 earlier than lastly making a birdie on the par-five tenth, however the Northern Irishman might solely discover yet one more shot on the 14th, earlier than he disappointingly gave it again with a three-putt on the ultimate inexperienced.
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