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By Kent Gray
First, second…first? The way Dustin Johnson has played the first 198 holes of the Saudi International the past three years — 10 rounds in the 60s and a combined 42 under par — few will be surprised if the world No.1 snares his second title in the Kingdom come Sunday.

The 36-year-old American will take a two-stoke lead over Scotland-based Frenchman Victor Perez and an even more sizeable physiological advantage over all into the final round after playing the first 54 holes of the third edition in 197 strokes, 13-under.

There has been just one blemish thus far – a double bogey on 13 Saturday when a squirt of breeze conspired against another flag-bound approach and left Johnson watching his ball go for a swim. Perhaps even more ominously, the reigning Masters champion is actually struggling on the greens at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, a fact camouflaged in a flurry of 15 bogeys through 54 holes.

That offers those in pursuit some encouragement. It’s a pedigreed peloton too with Tony Finau, Tyrrell Hatton, Andy Sullivan (all -10), Viktor Hovland, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia (-9) and Justin Rose (-8) all within five. Even Bryson DeChambeau at seven-under isn’t completely out of it, presuming he can get his wayward driver under control.

But this looks like Johnson’s title to lose. Once again.

“I felt like I played really well all day, other than 13,” Johnson said after his third round. “Even there, I didn’t think I hit that bad a shot. I pushed it a hair right of the flag, but it came up well short of where I thought it would.

“I feel like I’m playing very solid. I’m seeing a lot of the same things each and every week with my game. I’m pleased with where it’s at and where it going.

“I was a little frustrated on the greens today. I feel like I’m trying to read them as good as I can. I’m hitting good putts where I’m looking. Just having a tough time reading them. They are in good condition. They are just really tricky.”

Perez, likely to become the fourth Frenchman after Jean Van de Velde, Thomas Levet and Victor Dubuisson to play in the Ryder Cup this September, is coming home with wet sails.

After playing his first 20 holes in one-under, he’s rattled off 11 birdies in his next 34 and knows the red numbers need to continue flowing.

“I will obviously need to make some putts tomorrow,” Perez, at -11, said.

“I don’t know what the weather is going to be like. But if it’s good, somebody is going to have put in a low one to win. And if it’s going to be windy, it’s going to be a grind coming down the stretch for sure. But playing with Dustin is as good as it gets. I am excited for the challenge. This is what we all strive for.”

Finau has become something of a specialist bridesmaid but is at least talking the talk. His 67 Saturday was a usual statement of intent.

“I think probably somewhere around 65 is what we’re looking at,” said the American.

“I think 15 to 16 under is probably a good number to shoot for tomorrow. You never know what the conditions are going to be like, but I reckon one or two guys will start pulling away right around that. So I have to be aggressive tomorrow. That’s all there is to it.”

Former U.S. Open champion Rose is equally. “All is not lost,” he said after a 68 to be five back. “I’m right there in that chasing pack. If I put a special round of golf together, I can still get the job done.”

And finally, this refreshingly honest appraisal from Ian Poulter who clearly feels he should be in contention.