Dustin Johnson lived up to his favourite’s billing, and his world n0.1 status, after firing a Saturday 66 to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
Johnson, who won this tournament in 2019 and finished second behind Graeme McDowell in 2020, pulled clear of the star-studded field with four birdies in his opening ten holes, but his momentum was briefly halted by a double bogey six on the 13th. However, he restored his two-stroke advantage by birdieing the two closing holes to put some daylight between himself and Victor Perez in second.
Perez also carded a 66 to move to 11 under, while English pair Tyrrell Hatton (66) and Andy Sullivan (68), Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen (65) and American Tony Finau (67) are all three shots back on ten under.
Sergio Garcia posted the lowest round of the day, a six-under par 64, and is one of seven players in a share of seventh on nine under, along with Viktor Hovland (67) and Martin Kaymer (66).
Johnson, hit the headlines yesterday after one of his huge drives hit a course marshal on the back, said: “It was a good finish. I felt like I played really well all day, other than at 13. But other that than that, I drove it well and hit a lot of really good iron shots in there to give myself a lot of good chances at birdie. I didn’t hole a whole lot of putts, but finishing nicely definitely helped the day out.
He added: “I’ve always liked the golf course, and I think it sets up well for me. I feel like I’m swinging it well and giving myself all the chances, so I just need to hole a few putts tomorrow and see where it takes me.”
Perez, who won the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, is another player who feels the key to winning tomorrow will be down to putting; “I think obviously I will need to make some putts tomorrow. I don’t know what the weather is going to be like. Somebody is going to have put in 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.”