Min Woo Lee and Paul Casey will both be looking for a big final day at the 2021 AVIV Dubai Championship as they hunt vital points in the race to be crowned Europe's Number One.
Lee and Casey are the only players in the field at Jumeirah Golf Estates this week who can still win the Race to Dubai, teeing it up on the Fire Course at sixth and seventh respectively in the Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
Lee is guaranteed to move above Matt Fitzpatrick by the end of play on Sunday, although he himself could be leapfrogged by Casey depending on where they finish after 72 holes.
The Australian has played 19 events on the 2021 Race to Dubai, winning his first Rolex Series title at the abrdn Scottish Open and, while he admits he is ready for a rest and a trip home, he is determined to give it his all this week and at next week's season ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
“I was going to take this week off but I thought my form was pretty solid and with it would be another challenge in front of me and I could overcome it," he said.
"It is tough, I haven’t been home in six months but I’m looking forward to going home and relaxing. I still have two more to go though so I’m going to knuckle down and try to play well."
The 23-year-old made a spectacular eagle on the par five 13th on his way to a 66 on day three and will head into the final round just three shots off the lead.
“I started off really good, three birdies in a row, holing some nice lengthy putts," he said. "There were a couple of chances that I could have made.
"Then I had a nice chip-in, I gave one away at the 17th but a nice birdie at the last and hopefully another low one tomorrow.
"The same things tomorrow, I’m playing good, hitting it great and chipping it awesome, so just the same things."
Englishman Casey has a little more work to do from five shots back at 14 under but is confident he can carry the momentum from his holed bunker shot for eagle at the last into Sunday and beyond.
“Eagles always clean up the scorecard, don’t they?" he said.
"It’s weird, I got off to a fast start on Thursday and had a good back nine, then yesterday was a difficult front nine and then a good back nine and the same again today. I just need to put two nines together.
“The course is really good. I’ve not played it before until this week and it is a really good layout. It’s all there but there is also danger and swirly winds. Somebody will put it together and figure it all out. The key is not to get too far behind.
“We will need a 62 or something tomorrow but it’s right there if I put the two nines together.
"I always turn up each week wanting to win but part of us also said let’s use this week as preparation for next week. Now we are in this position we are trying to get the most out of this week too. I’d love to finish this week off really strongly."
