Dubai: Shane Lowry remained on track for the biggest title of his career as he carved out a three-stroke lead on the third day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Friday.

The Irishman, who has led since day one at the National Course in the UAE capital and is in a great position to get his hands on the Falcon Trophy going into Saturday’s final round.

Lowry won the 2012 Portugal Masters and the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, but success in Abu Dhabi would eclipse both of those title now that the tournament has been elevated to be one of eight tournaments which are part of the Rolex Series — the European Tour’s premier events, and the prize fund stands at $7 million.

The 31-year-old mixed two bogeys with seven birdies to card a five-under 67 and sits on -17 with 18 holes to play. For the third straight day, the Irishman made birdie on the each of the short Nos. 7, 12, and 15 holes to strengthen his bid for a first victory in three-and-a-half years.

“I’ve been hitting some lovely iron shots,” said Lowry. “It just so happens that I’ve hit them on the par threes.”

South Africa’s Richard Sterne on -14 is his closest challenger after the veteran two-time Joburg Open winner went round in a three-under-par 69, including a brilliant eagle on the par-five 10th hole.

“Maybe there’s some magic left in me,” Sterne said.

A further two strokes further back is Ian Poulter, the English Ryder Cup hero and fan favourite, who saved the best for last by grabbing an eagle on the 18th to sign for a three-under 69.

Louis Oosthuizen, Lowry’s player partner who was in second-place at the halfway stage, had a day to forget racking up five bogeys and only two birdies to card a three-over 75 and slump to joint 12th place.

American world No. 2 Brooks Koepka is back on nine-under alongside Lee Westwood in joint ninth place, while world No. 3 Dustin Johnson is down tied for 40th on -4. Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood will not be making it three in a row in Abu Dhabi as he is on -3 and tied for 50th.

Leaderboard

1 Shane Lowry (IRL) -17

2 Richard Sterne (RSA) -14

3 Ian Poulter (ENG) -12

4 Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) -11

5= Maximilian Kieffer (GER) -10

5= Thomas Pieters (BEL) -10

5= Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) -10

5= Scott Jamieson (SCO) -10

9= Brooks Koepka (USA) -9

9= Paul Waring (ENG) -9

9= Lee Westwood (ENG) -9