Shane Lowry will take a three-stroke lead into the final day of the first Rolex Series event on the 2019 European Tour in Abu Dhabi after a third round 5-under-par 67 saw him take control of the tournament on 17-under-par.
The Irishman will tee off alongside Richard Sterne in the final group tomorrow with a healthy advantage, with England’s Ian Poulter five strokes back on 12-under-par after he closed out with an eagle on the 18th to move to third place.
“I felt very comfortable out there today and I’m very excited about tomorrow,” said Lowry, who last won at the 2015 the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. “Obviously I’m in a great position and it’s been a while since I’ve been up having a lead going into Sunday so I’ll enjoy it.”
Superb Iron Play
Lowry has birdied the same three short holes every day this week (holes 7, 12 and 15), highlighting his superb iron play.
Past champion Pablo Larrazabal sits on 11-under-par, six behind Lowry while four players sit on 10-under with Brooks Koepka a shot forther back alongside Lee Westwood and Paul Waring.
Poulter, who endured 34-hours of travel to get to Abu Dhabi from the PGA Tour’s Sony Open in Hawaii last week, is pleased with how his week has gone so far.
“Hopefully I can have a run tomorrow and try and put Shane under a little bit of pressure. It’s not easy when he’s playing as well as this. He’s 9-under on the 12 par 3s he’s played so far, so he’s obviously playing well and holing putts.” – Ian Poulter
