‘Moving Day’ lived up to its name at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open as we got a new leader and two unheralded Irish players keeping in contention.
England’s Robert Rock made the biggest statement of the day hitting a round of 60 to take the lead on 13 under par.
However, his lead is only one shot as Spain’s Rafa Carbera Bello and England’s Eddie Pepperell sit on 12 under. Friday night leader Zander Lombard is one shot further back in fourth place.
The overall challenges for Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Seamus Power ended in this third round but two Irish players are within touching distance from the top.
Robin Dawson gave the home support a massive lift in the morning with a round of 64 bringing him up to seven under par.
And not to be outdone, Cormac Sharvin went around the course in 66 to lie in joint seventh with France’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera.
Just ahead of them is Bernd Weisberger and Andy Sullivan but there are many big names just outside who’ll have interest in the top prize on Sunday.
2007 champion John Rahm struck an eagle on the 18th to sit on eight under par in a group of five. Gavin Green and Brandon Stone are among eight players on seven under while Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and Abraham Ancer are on six under par.
Play on Sunday starts at 7.15am when Australia’s Lucas Herbert and Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult take to the tee.
Padraig Harrington is out at 7.55, Seamus Power 10 minutes later, and Shane Lowry will be in action at 9am.
Robin Dawson will partner Spain’s Jorge Campillo at 11.50am. And Cormac Sharvin begins his final round with Mike Lorenzo-Vera at 12.25pm.
Leader Robert Rock and Rafa Carbera Bello are last to tee off at 12.55pm, while Zander Lombard and Eddie Pepperell will line up 10 minutes before them.
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Robin Dawson
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Padraig Harrington
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Des Smyth
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John Rahm
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Gavin Green
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Gonzalo Fernandez Castano
