World No. 1 Dustin Johnson looked in a class of his own as he brushed aside his rivals on route to a two-shot third round lead at the Saudi International on the Royal Greens course laid out along the shores of the stunning Red Sea.
Johnson completed the handful of second round holes early Saturday morning to be lying at nine-under par and one adrift of the official leading duo of Kiwi Ryan Fox and Scot Stephen Gallacher.
Johnson quickly stamped his intentions with four four birdies in 10 holes and then rebounded from a 13th hole double-bogey with a closing pair of birdies and move to 13-under and two clear of Frenchman Victor Perez (66) at 11-under par.
Johnson won the inaugural event two years ago but admits he putted better on route to victory then after three rounds this year.
He said: “I would say my game is in better form right now than two years ago but then I holed a lot more putts back in 2019 compared to this year, so far.
“But there’s always tomorrow.”
Scottish-based Perez didn’t drop a shot in a second straight four-under 66 has put himself in place for a second European Tour success and also further improve his current standing as currently inside those who will qualify for the European Ryder Cup team.
Perez is the reigning Alfred Dunhill Links champion given the 2020 event was cancelled.
He’s had 15 birdies of his three Saudi round and just two bogeys and a second round double-bogey.
“I felt like it hasn’t been as good as maybe the stats have proven,” said Perez. “It’s obviously a feel thing. Feel like I’ve made a few putts short. Made some; left some short. This morning on 16, a bad three-putt. Obviously give and take.
“I will need to make some putts tomorrow. I don’t know what the weather is going to be like. But even if it’s gone, somebody is going to have put 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”.
And looking ahead to tomorrow’s last day?
“It’s very difficult. Coming down 18, I thought DJ was still 13-under par and then he was down to 11, so it’s really give or take,” said the current World No. 35 ranked Perez.
“He finished with two birdies and it will be very dependent on conditions to be honest.”
