England's Rai takes one-shot lead into Abu Dhabi final round / Photo: Fadel SENNA - AFP
England's Rai takes one-shot lead into Abu Dhabi final round
Aaron Rai hit a six-under par third round 66 on Saturday to open up a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
Rai had shared the halfway lead with fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood on 14 under par but pulled ahead in perfect scoring conditions on Saturday.
Rai fired seven birdies, including five on the front nine, with his only bogey of the day coming on the 17th.
His third-round 66 sees him go into Sunday's fourth round on 20 under par, one clear of nearest challengers Fleetwood and Dane Nicolai Hojgaard.
"To win this week, to have a chance going into the weekend, is great," said 30-year-old Rai, who won the Wyndham Championship last year.
"Still a long way to go and a lot of really good players. Yeah, we'll give it our best and see how it comes."
Two-time former champion Fleetwood made an eagle and three birdies in his 67, while Hojgaard's 65 featured eight birdies and one bogey.
Nacho Elvira was another shot further back on 18 under after his birdie-birdie finish.
Ireland's Rory McIlroy sits six strokes off the lead after a third round 66, one shot behind Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry.
The five-time major winner had scored 68 in the first two rounds but closed the gap with seven birdies and just one bogey in the third.
S.Lebrun--PP
