Connor Syme is quietly confident there’s an automatic 2023 Open Championship tee time in his golf bag as a reward heading to his final event of the season at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Syme, at 33^rd on the Race to Dubai money list, is three places shy of the top-30 that at tournament end will be rewarded with a Royal Liverpool tee time while his third round 70 moved him to two-under and just outside the leading 20 in the US$4m season finale.

Connor Syme one round shy of earning himself a hopeful 2023 Open Championship tee time. (Photo – Ping)

Spaniard Jon Rahm emerged with an equal-best 65 to lead the field by a shot place at 14-under in continuing sauna-like conditions on the Earth course at Jumeriah Estates.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy was a big mover, also shooting a 65 that included a second hole eagle ‘3’ to be tied in fourth place with Tyrrell Hatton (72).

McIlroy is looking to end his already three-tournament winning year in becoming only the second player in a season to be crowned both PGA No. 1 and DP World No. 1.

And despite sharing fourth place with a round to play, McIlroy’s still projected to win the Race to Dubai title for a fourth time in his career, and given the season he’s enjoyed, he believes he is deserving of a good finish

McIlroy said: “My energy levels are pretty good but at the same time I just want to finish this year off on a really positive note. I feel like my year deserves that and if I go out and shoot a good score tomorrow then I’ll get on the plane and go back home really happy with how my year has gone.

Ritchie Ramsay continues to lead the five Scots but after posting a one-over 73 for a four-under tally and one clear of Syme and Robert MacIntyre (71).

The game’s best @DPWorldTour do it so well post their rounds

Congrats @connor_syme @modestgolf @dpwtc 😚🏆

And kids to be 👏 as you can hear their ‘thank you’s’

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— Worldwide 🌎Media Agency (@TOURMISS) November 19, 2022

Syme capped his round getting up-and-down from a final hole greenside bunker and holing the testy eight-foot birdie in a round of 70 to be just outside the top-20 at two-under.

The Fifer is getting better with each round after an opening 73 and then backing that up on Friday with a 71.

He said: “It was nice way to finish and good and a good solid putt. Nice also to birdie 18 for a second day running.

“I feel I getting more comfortable with each round, as it’s tough out there, and you really need to play real quality golf shots, like that bunker shot there at 18, as there no gimmes out there, at all.

“Overall, I am pretty pleased with how I struck it coming into the back nine.

“Looking forward now to the last round of the season, and fingers crossed there’s a low on in the bag and I can go out on a high.

“It would be great also to wrap-up a Hoylake tee time and to have ticked that box in coming back out here in January for the start of my ’23 season.”

Ewen Ferguson (70) and David Law (74) will start the last round at two-over.