Danny Willett delighted with third-round 65 at Dubai Desert Classic
Sunday 7 February 2016 07:55, UK
Danny Willett says he is delighted with his 65 but admits it could have been better during the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
The Englishman finished with his second consecutive round of 65 to take the overnight lead by one shot, heading into the final round at the Emirates Golf Club.
Willett dropped his only shot of the day on the 12th before quickly responding with a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-five 13th, the same hole where he got a lucky bounce out of the lake on Thursday.
Leading by one shot over the 2012 winner Rafa Cabrera-Bello, the world number 20 had six birdies and an eagle but said he felt his seven-under-par round could been better.
"I played great golf today," Willett said. "It could have been a couple better today in all fairness, but I'm delighted.
"We got the feel on the greens again, and saw a few more lines later on in the round."
Willett has struggled in the past with an on-going back injury, and says he has been working hard to be able to play well.
He added: "We've been working hard, doing the hard work in the gym and changing the swing a little bit to kind of counter it as well.
"It's all coming together and it's nice to get results from it."
Two shots back is Andy Sullivan, who continued his bogey-free run of 53 holes in a row with a six-under-par round of 66. Despite finding himself in precarious spots around the course, he managed several times to save his par.
"The times I have missed the fairways," said Sullivan, "I seem to get a birdie in the right place and recover somehow. Things seem to be going my way at the moment."
He is targeting a win this year with the hope it may help him to be included in the Ryder Cup team.
"I'm going to have to play as good as last year if not better," he added.
Live European Tour Golf
Watch the Dubai Desert Classic throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Fourth round coverage gets underway on Sunday from 8am.
