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Scott Jamieson will aim to become just the second wire-to-wire Rolex Series winner as he clung on to his lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, carding a superb birdie on the final hole to move one clear of Shane Lowry and Thomas Pieters.
The Scot has now lead each round thus far by a single shot, and will play alongside 2019 champion Lowry and Pieters in the final round, targeting a life-changing maiden Rolex Series win after a four under 68 left him on an 11 under par total.
"After yesterday, certainly the whole day seems a little more straightforward but it still wasn't easy. The greens were considerably quicker and there was still a decent amount of breeze" SAID THE SCOT.
"But funny you say that, when I was on the last green, I noticed no one had made birdie so I was happy to knock in a six footer.
"I didn't do a whole lot in the off-season. I was pretty comfortable with where my game was when we finished in Dubai. I actually practised quite a bit in December and then had a decent break and then only really started practicing again about ten days ago. Glad it was all still there.
"It would be massive, a game changer to win a tournament of this stature. There's definitely been some great champions here, and that's an awful long way to go."
Indeed, Lowry's own win in Abu Dhabi in 2019 is the only wire-to-wire victory in Rolex Series history and the Irishman will be hoping to draw on those happy memories as he searches for a first title since his famous Open Championship triumph in 2019.
Lowry played alongside his fellow five-time winner on Tour, Pieters, and they both signed for five under par 67s to move to ten under. World Number Seven Viktor Hovland is in the hunt despite a bogey at the par five final hole - he sits alongside India's Shubhankar Sharma on eight under, three off the pace.
Lowry played alongside his fellow five-time winner on Tour, Pieters, and they both signed for five under par 67s to move to ten under. World Number Seven Viktor Hovland is in the hunt despite a bogey at the par five final hole - he sits alongside India's Shubhankar Sharma on eight under, three off the pace.
"It was pretty stress-free. I think I missed one or two greens just like the first day. Putting well. I rolled it well nicely today. Just found a couple long ones at the end. Pretty bummed about the one on 18" SAID PIETERS.
“After eight weeks off you don't really know where your game is at but obviously the confidence is still there. I kind of wanted to keep going at the end of last year, but it's nice to just keep it going. Hopefully we have a good day tomorrow.
“I think everybody comes here to win so it would mean the same to me as any other guy. Just got to do one more really good round and we'll see.”
Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello is a shot further back on seven under, joined by Englishmen James Morrison and Ian Poulter.
