A misjudged putt for birdie on the 18th by Thriston Lawrence saw him three-putt for the only bogey of his third round in the DP World Tour’s Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Lawrence was cruising at five-under for the day, and he had 36 feet for birdie on his final hole to move to 13-under and third on his own. He pushed his putt nearly 20 feet past, and was unable to make the return for par.
But, after his four-under 67, he still finds himself right in contention ahead of the final round at 11-under-par and in a share of fourth with Jordan Smith of England and Lawrence’s compatriot, Zander Lombard.
They are all four shots behind the leader, Tommy Fleetwood, who unfurled a delightful bogey-free eight-under-par 63 to go one clear of Rory McIroy. McIlroy turned in level-par, but made four birdies coming home for his four-under 67 and a total of 14-under. Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark was in third after his bogey-free 67.
Lawrence was paired with Lombard – as he will be in the final round – and the pair seemed to feed off each other. Lombard made two bogeys, but he also made six birdies in his four-under 67.
The other two South Africans in the field, Hennie du Plessis and Ockie Strydom, go into the final round of the 60-man no-cut event in a share of 29th on one-under after rounds of one-under 70 and two-under 79 respectively.
