By Kent Gray
Shane Lowry and Kiradech Aphibarnrat take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Turkish Airlines Open Sunday but will be wary of Justin Rose whose Race to Dubai title tilt is blossoming just at the right time.

Irishman Lowry fired a 65 and Thai Aphibarnrat a 66 to move to -14 at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort in Antalya as Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts coughed up a four-shot overnight lead with a third round 73 to slip into a three-way tie for third with Rose and Padraig Harrington at -12.

Lowry, who has strong Dubai links courtesy of a sponsored deal with McGettigan’s Pub, is searching for his fourth European Tour title like Aphibarnrat.

But they will be mindful of Rose who leapt 10 places up the leaderboard with a 64 Saturday that was matched by Harrington. Rose made up eight shots in the final round to win last week’s WGC-HSBC Champions in China to leapfrog up to third in the Race to Dubai standings. A top finish in Turkey, never mind a victory, will ratchet up the heat on long-time front runner Tommy Fleetwood (T-27 at -5 overnight) heading into the season-ending DP World Tour Championship starting at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Nov.16.

“Any euro is going to be a handy euro,” Rose told EuropeanTour.com.  “If I was to play well in Dubai and win there, then whatever cheque I make tomorrow could be very valuable. Of course everything’s to play for, every shot counts at this stage of the season.”

Rose rattled of seven birdies Saturday, four of them on the trot from the 12th, and has made just one double bogey all week on the 2nd in Thursday’s opening round.

“All week I seem to have putted really well on the front nine but not quite as well on the back nine. I think the greens tend to get a tiny bit slower as the day goes on so I think I need to stay a little bit more positive with the putter,” Rose said.

“Obviously it’s a great result to get within shouting distance tomorrow. Today was the best I’ve played all week and maybe even better than last week. I just felt really comfortable out on the golf course today.”

Rookie Ryder Cupper Thomas Pieters is also poised at -11 after a 66 Saturday.

“You always have a chance even if you’re six, seven back on this course because you can birdie your way in. There’s plenty of birdies out there. You just have to make the putts,” the big-hitting Belgian said.

The leaders tee off at 11.31am local time (12.31pm UAE time) although potential lightning forced the suspension of play early int he day.