South Africa’s Justin Harding retained a two-shot lead going into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic after a 1-under-par 71 on Saturday kept him ahead of four-time major winner Rory McIlroy.
The 35-year-old Harding hit a bogey on the eighth hole but recovered with two birdies on the 12th and 13th to finish at 12 under.
McIlroy carded a third-round 69 to sit on 10-under for the tournament, while his Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood was at 9 under along with South African Erik van Rooyen.
“I thought I played quite solid. It was a difficult day to be fair, some tough flags to get at,” Harding, who has won two titles on the European Tour, said.
“There were times when I didn’t quite put the ball in play and I couldn’t really go anywhere near them.”
McIlroy, who had an eventful performance with three bogeys, four birdies and an eagle, said it was “a bit of battling” amid tricky conditions at the Emirates Golf Club.
“I think it was a fair reflection how I played,” the Northern Irishman said. “Some good things in there and a couple bad things as well.
“I feel like it all evened out by the end, and it was nice to birdie the last and shoot something in the 60s and play myself into the final group tomorrow.”
A group of six players including defending champion Paul Casey and England’s Tyrrell Hatton were at 8 under, while world No. 2 Collin Morikawa was at 4 under.