Dubai Desert Classic: Patrick Reed leads by four after day three at Emirates Golf Club

Spaniard David Puig compiled a 66 to establish himself as the closest challenger to the 2018 Masters champion heading into the final day.

Meanwhile, three-time Norwegian Ryder Cup player Viktor Hovland shot a 65 to push himself into contention with a score of nine under, alongside England’s Andy Sullivan, who carded a 71.

Hovland, who won the event in a playoff in 2022, recorded seven birdies in a bogey-free round to equal his best round of the week and extend his bid for a third DP World Tour Championship success of his career.

Italians Andrea Pavan and Francesco Molinari are four points behind the lead in the fifth-place match, while Spaniards Jorge Campello and Danish Thorbjörn Olesen are one point behind.

First-round leader Molinari went on the offensive early by hitting shots on each of the first three holes, but back-to-back shots at the 13th and 14th meant the 2018 Open champion had to settle for a 71.

Rory McIlroy’s hopes were further dashed as a 71 left him in equal 27th place at three under, while defending champions Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry sit on one under after rounds of 76 and 74 respectively.

Hatton holed out with birdies on the third and 18th but six dropped shots in the 10-hole space between the seventh and 16th pushed back his ambitions to move up the leaderboard on day three.

A disappointing week continued for world number three Tommy Fleetwood as he shot a 73 to remain outside the top 60 by two.