(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Front-running German seems destined to clinch his fourth Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
Martin Kaymer plays a shot during the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Saturday. — AFP
Abu Dhabi: Martin Kaymer has one hand if not both already on the Falcon Trophy at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship here after securing a sizeable six-shot lead over a would-be ‘chasing pack’ on Saturday.
The 30-year-old German carded a seven-under par 65 in his third round on the National Course and he is now on a highly impressive 20-under (196) following previously low efforts of 64 and 67.
Thomas Pieters of Belgium is his closest challenger on 14-under (202) while there is a two-way tie for third place between France’s Alexander Levy and Austrian Bernd Wiesbeger a shot further back. World number one Rory McIlroy is among three golfers with a share of fifth position on 12-under (204).
“The main goal was to still be leading the golf tournament going to the first tee tomorrow (Sunday) morning and that’s what I did” three-time champion Kaymer said.
“It was a little bit of an up and down round especially around holes 10 11 and 12 so 65 is a great score.
“If I shoot another good score tomorrow then I most likely will win the golf tournament. I just really enjoy the golf course and the way I’ve played golf over the last three days has been very solid. I haven’t made many mistakes; I’ve only had two bogeys and they were in the first round.”
Kaymer needs only four more birdies to equal his own tournament record set four years ago and five obviously to break it.
He has made 10 five and seven in his three rounds to date but Kaymer is concentrating solely on taking out the tournament title and isn’t seemingly that focused on setting new ground score-wise.
“I’m not really thinking about the record” the reigning US Open champion admitted. “The record is not that interesting for me tomorrow. To me it’s important that I win the golf tournament; if it’s by one six or 10 shots I don’t really care as long as I win.”
It seems almost inevitable that he will do exactly that too barring a monumental miracle as those charged with chasing him down concede it will take something special from here.
McIlroy who is eight strokes off the phenomenal pace set by Kaymer has conceded the best he can hope for with 18 holes left to play is a runner-up finish come this afternoon.
“I’m very disappointed” the Northern Irishman said. “I gave myself so many chances and didn’t convert any of them.
“I was very wasteful today (Saturday) and it looks like I’ll be playing for second place tomorrow (Sunday).
“I’m going to have to do something a bit better on the greens tomorrow to shoot a good number and finish the tournament off well.
“It’s about trying to win the other tournament. He (Kaymer) is playing in something a little different to everyone else.
“I’m two behind Thomas (Pieters) and second place and I’ll try and catch him. It’s obviously very unrealistic that I’m going to catch Martin tomorrow.”
alexkhaleejtimes.com
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.