Thomas Pieters made a fine start to his third round to maintain his slender lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.
The big-hitting Belgian had powered into a one shot lead with a flawless 65 on Friday, but had to add bogeys at the second and third when play resumed at Abu Dhabi Golf Club to remain ahead of the chasing pack.
On 14 under par the Ryder Cup star led by one from his EurAsia Cup team-mates Ross Fisher and Matt Fitzpatrick.
England's Fisher was three under for his first four holes, but remarkably his compatriot was going even better, with seven front-nine birdies taking him to the turn in 29.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, another Englishman in Andrew Johnston, Austria's Bernd Wiesberger, France's Alex Levy and Spain's Jorge Campillo were then a shot further back on 12 under as moving day lived up to its name.
World Number One Dustin Johnson and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, playing partners over the first two days, were both ominously poised on 11 under, with Johnson three under through eight and McIlroy two under after six holes.
