Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello opened up a three shot lead over their rivals on day three of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Stenson posted four birdies in a four under par 68 to join Cabrera-Bello who birdied four of his closing five holes, including three in succession from the 14th, in a seven under par 65 to be tied on 14-under par on the Earth Course at Jumeriah Estates.
England’s Justin Rose also shot a 68 to be in third place on 11-under par and one clear of World No. 1 Rory McIlroy (70) Frenchman Victor Dubuisson (67), England’s Tyrrell Hatton (68) and Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen (69).
Henrik Stenson and his ‘Lordship’ Gareth Lord during the third round of the DP Tour World Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
McIlroy let slip any third round advantage with back-to-back double bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes while Olesen was left counting the costs of an 18th hole double bogey.
Stenson is looking to retain his DP World Tour Championship title and if so, it would the first time he would have done son in his 16-year pro career.
As well, victory would ensure the Swede finishes the 2014 European Tour season runner-up to McIlroy on the Race to Dubai.
“To win would be very pleasing as I’ve had a solid year, but I haven’t got a trophy yet,” he said.
“So that would be great and see me go on the Christmas break with a very positive feeling.
“There is still a lot of golf to play, and Rafa, he’s had a 64 and a 65, so he seems to be on fire so he’s going to be a tough match tomorrow.
“There’s also still a bunch of guys two, three, four shots behind that could get on a hot streak and catch us but then I am going to try my hardest as it would mean a lot to get a win here and defend my title.”
Cabrera-Bello, 30 is no stranger to winning in Dubai having captured the 2012 Dubai Desert Classic title and the second of his two Tour victories.
“The round was a little bit crazy, because I haven’t felt I’ve played perfect at all,” he said.
“I had to work really, really hard, especially at the beginning but I managed to hang in there and end up shooting 3‑under on the front nine when I could have easily shot 2‑ or 3‑over, which was very good.
“And my short game and putting has been unbelievable, probably the best day of my life for short game so that’s what helped me hang in there on the front nine and I did play better on the back nine.”
McIlroy remains quietly confident of a sixth victory this year in his penultimate event of the season despite the pair of double bogeys sticking out like two sore thumbs on his scorecard.
The four-time Major winner three-putted the par four 12th hole and then after missing the green at the next, McIlroy ‘duffed’ two wedge shots that leaves him trailing four shots off the lead.
“It was just a bad swing firstly on 13 but it was annoying to follow up a double on 12 with another one on 13,” he said.
“So I was a little frustrated but it was nice to get a couple back on the last few holes. At least keep myself within touch going into tomorrow.”
