English golfer Paul Waring holds one-shot Abu Dhabi lead after third-round stumble
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ABU DHABI – Paul Waring saw his lead cut to a single shot after he carded a one-over 73 in the third round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Nov 9.
The 39-year-old Englishman had started the day with a five-shot advantage after he broke the course record with a 61 in the second round at the Yas Links course.
His 18-under 198 total left him one clear of Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard (69), with England’s Tommy Fleetwood, Dane Thorbjorn Olesen (both 71), Irishman Shane Lowry (66) and Swede Sebastian Soderberg (68) tied for third on 15 under.
Rory McIlroy, who is bidding to seal another DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai title, carded a 69 and was tied for 13th – five shots back of the leader.
Waring, who managed just a lone birdie on the second hole, said: “I’m a little bit disappointed – I felt like I could have put myself out of sight but four rounds of golf, you’re always going to have a bit of an iffy run of holes, an iffy round of golf.
“I’m trying to remain positive that I’m still in the lead, looking forward to getting out there tomorrow.
“I wasn’t at my best today, felt a little bit jittery in total honesty, I felt the greens were a foot-and-a-half quicker, they were breaking a bit more than what I was reading.”
The big mover of the day was Thomas Detry, who posted 10 birdies in his career-low round of 62 to move to joint seventh on 14 under.
“It’s been a tale of three different days,” said the Belgian, who shot 72 and 68 in the first two rounds.
“I finished horrendously on Thursday, played much better yesterday and today was just kind of everything clicked together.”
In women’s golf, South Korea’s Kim A-lim made a hole-in-one and closed with back-to-back birdies to grab a one-stroke lead after three rounds at the Lotte Championship in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
She carded a five-under 67 at Hoakalei Country Club, leaving her at 14-under 202.
At the par-three ninth hole, Kim sent her shot onto the green, and it took one hop into the cup.
The 29-year-old said: “Calculate number and then chose line and then hit it. I think (it was) 99 per cent lucky.”
Russia’s Nataliya Guseva is one stroke back following a 68, and American Ryann O’Toole is at 11 under after a 69. AFP, REUTERS
