Wilco Nienaber will take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the UAE Challenge after carding a three under par round of 69 on day three at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
The South African reached 12 under par by posting seven birdies and four bogeys in an eventful round that leaves him two shots clear of Swiss Benjamin Rusch and Englishmen Pavan Sagoo and David Horsey.
Wilco Nienaber with a superb up-and-down from the sand to birdie the 8th đżđŠ#UAEChallenge | @EGFuaegolf | @AbuDhabiSC pic.twitter.com/VxAEvp3D4q
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Despite carding three bogeys on the back nine, the 24-year-old was pleased with his efforts on a sweltering day in Abu Dhabi.
âToday was pretty good,â he said. âI had a couple of iffy shots but all in all, very pleased. The execution wasnât quite there today, but it wasnât far off. Most of it was pretty good.
âThe wind angles were a little different, but it didnât really cool us off. From that perspective it didnât help.â
Nienaber, who led the DP World Tour in average driving distance last year, highlighted his long game as a key advantage over the first three days in Abu Dhabi.
âLength always helps if you hit it good,â he said. âThere are definitely a few holes where bunkers arenât in play for me.
âThat said, you still have to hit a good tee shot to be in position and hole putts.â
It will be the second time in as many weeks that Nienaber sits in pole position after 54 holes, having been part of a leading trio at last weekâs Abu Dhabi Challenge. The South African was unable to take advantage at Al Ain but is feeling relaxed ahead of tomorrowâs final round.
âItâs just another round,â he said. âItâs just wake up, same thing, 45 minutes before, hit a few balls and off we go.
âThis is my fourth Sunday in a row that Iâm going in with a chance to win the tournament, itâs not quite worked out but that is just the way the game is. Hopefully tomorrow I feel more comfortable.â
Spaniard Angel Ayora carded the low round of the day with a seven under 65 and shares fifth place at nine under par with Frenchman Gary Stal, Finn Tapio Pulkkanen, Australiaâs Connor McKinney and Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, while Icelandâs Haraldur Magnus, Swede Kristoffer Broberg and Denmarkâs Hamish Brown share tenth a further shot back.
Dubai amateur Oscar Craig also enjoyed another solid day carding a level-par round which included three birdies and three bogeys.
The 17-year-old, who’s stepfather Tommy Fleetwood is looping for him week, was the only amateur to make the cut as he heads into the final round two under for the week.
âThere was way more relief today rather than stress because Iâve made the cut now,â said Craig. âI was so happy with how Iâve played, itâs been another steady day again.
âIâve had quite a few messages to be fair about making the cut. Itâs all been really positive and my mates have been really happy. My family have been chuffed as well, itâs been nice to see.â
Watch the duo getting some reps in prior to the event below:
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The final round gets under way at 7:30am local time, with Nienaber, Horsey and Sagoo teeing off at 9:30am.
Image: Octavio Passos / Getty Images