Thorbjørn Olesen will take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship after following up Friday’s course record-equalling 62 with a nine-under 63 on Saturday.
Olesen started his third round one stroke behind fellow Dane Rasmus Højgaard but immediately drew level with a birdie on the first, following that with four more birdies as he covered the front nine in four under the card. Five further gains followed on the back nine as he pulled clear of the pack led by Højgaard, who carded a f68, which include a crucial 18-foot par saving putt on the par-five 18th after he found water off the tee.
Frenchman Frederic Lacroix carded a 66 to move into third place on 16 under, one stroke ahead of Marcus Helligkilde, Angel Hidalgo and Brandon Stone.
Olesen said: “I thought played a lot better today than yesterday. I hit a lot more fairways, and that gave me the chance to be aggressive with my second shots. I’ll need to do more of the same tomorrow as with a guy like Rasmus behind you and you know anything can happen with his firepower. I will have to keep focused, do my own thing.
“I feel pretty comfortable playing with a lead. There’s always going to be nerves, but it’s how you deal with it. I enjoy being in that position. That’s what you practice for, to have the chance to win on a Sunday. It’s going to be a lot of fun tomorrow.”