Martin Kaymer leads by one from Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter after a third successive 67 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
McIlroy and Poulter head chasing pack in Abu Dhabi
Germany's Martin Kaymer shot a third successive 67 to open a one-shot lead over Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter heading into the final day of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
Kaymer, winner of this event in 2008 and runner-up last year, stormed through the front nine of his third round in just 31 strokes, including five birdies, to move two clear.
His solitary bogey of the day came at the par-four 11th but a solid finish down the stretch, parring his way home before adding a sixth birdie at the last, kept him on top of the leaderboard at 15-under-par.
Kaymer is planning to play throughout 2010 with metal plates in the foot he damaged in a go-karting accident last year.
The 25-year-old broke four toes and the subsequent two-month lay-off dashed his hopes of winning the inaugural Race to Dubai, having been well placed to do so following back-to-back wins in July at the Open de France and Scottish Open.
Matured
"Especially after coming off a six week break in America, you arrive really motivated and I couldn't wait to play golf," said Kaymer.
"Two years ago I was leading by six shots, but I was very nervous, but it still felt really special. But on Sunday I played really shy and didn't go for the flags and I left a lot of putts short, my self confidence wasn't there.
"This has changed after four wins on the European Tour and winning big events last year in France and at Loch Lomond that attitude has definitely changed."
Northern Ireland's McIlroy and Englishman Poulter had matching 67s, both mixing six birdies with a single dropped shot to head the chasing pack at 14 under.
"I didn't make many mistakes and I have put myself in a great position," said world number 10 McIlroy.
"It should be a good battle and it looks as if we are all playing very well so it should be an interesting day.
"There is no reason why I couldn't go low in the final round. I didn't think anything in the 20s would win, but obviously everyone has played well in the first tournament of the season. I would say 20 under is a very good target."
Adrenaline
Poulter, the world number 12, added: "Sometimes in a busy stretch you feel tired, but I feel wide awake, I feel really good.
"I feel strong and I'm in a nice position so obviously the adrenaline is there.
"I drove it pretty solid, hit my irons very nicely. I managed to have a good look at a few putts, a few slid by, but a few went in."
Sweden's Peter Hanson (70) is alone in fourth on 13 under, while Spaniard Alvaro Quiros (68), England's Chris Wood (70) and Irishman Shane Lowry (71) are tied at 12 under and well placed for a final-day charge.
Overnight leader Rick Kulacz dropped back to 11 under, requiring 10 strokes more on Saturday than the previous day's 63.
Defending champion Paul Casey managed a 69 to sit at six under overall.
