South African Dawie Van Der Walt singled out a putting tip from TOUR MISS as pivotal to shooting a 65 to take the clubhouse lead at nine under par on day three of the Dubai Desert Classic.

Van Der Walt had just 26 putts that included a three-putt to take the lead more than an hour before World No. 6 Rory McIlroy was due to commence his round.

Nelson Mandela Championship winner Dawie Van Der Walt sings the praise of TOUR MISS after shooting 65 in Dubai. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

Van Der Walt late last year captured a first European Tour victory in winning the Nelson Mandela Championship and ironically on the weekend of the former South African President’s funeral.

However since then the giant South African, who stands six foot five inches tall, has struggled with the shortest club in the bag taking 32 putts on day one of the $US 2.5m event and 31 in the second round.

“Fatiha Betscher is one of the media who travels with the European Tour but I know she’s always undertaking a lot of research when it comes to putting,” said Van Der Walt.

“So I was speaking with Fatiha after yesterday’s round, and it was something I already knew but I was neglecting to do it, but she advised me to get my hands a little higher along with a couple of other very useful tips.

“It was not that I was hitting all that many bad putts but I put into effect what she mentioned to me yesterday and it was the certainly key today. 

“And any day you have just 26 putts and with a three-putt thrown in is not too bad.  I know one thing lunch will taste much nicer now.”

“So she deserves credit because I wouldn’t be talking to you know if it wasn’t for her advice.”