As Ernie Els strode to the top of the Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard on the third day, the British Amateur Champion Michael Hoey put on an impressive display of his own.
The Belfast amateur shot a third round 70 and will go into the final round on four-under par. Three birdies on the first five holes elevated Hoey to five-under and within four shots of Charlie Wi’s overnight lead.
But an indifferent run, four bogeys, three birdies and two pars, on the next nine holes saw the Shandon Park player lose some momentum.
However, a birdie at the last ensured Hoey is the leading Irishman. And it’s hardly surprising he is faring so well in Dubai, the Emirates course is the venue where he won the Emirates Amateur title in 2000.
Hoey’s more established compatriots, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, both carded four-under 68’s and share top 20 spots on three-under.
"To be honest it was easier out there today and I played better than yesterday," explained Harrington on Sky Sports.
"This is only my third event this year, so I’m really still warming up. I have no high hopes yet, but that might change in a couple of weeks when the swing is tightened up," said the Dubliner who dedicates so much of his time on to the practice range.
It only took one hole to change the shape of the leaderboard when the final pairing of Els and Wi took to the course. While Wi made bogey at the 420yard par four Els made birdie.
It set the trend for the day, Wi crumbled in the spotlight for a five-over 77 as Els’ form was relentless scoring 10 shots better than his playing partner.
"I played good today, I just had the one mistake at the seventh that’s all," said Els who had a rash of seven birdies and a double-bogey at the 180yard par three.
"The wind picked up a little and a six-iron was the wrong club so it landed in the water short and I paid the penalty."
"I've put the work in on my game and playing nicely. I'm not really thinking about winning two in a row. It's a new week for me and I'm really focused on what I'm doing," said Els who is targeting back-to-back wins after success at the Genuity Championship last week.
He leads the $1 million event on 13-under and has a three shot cushion from Sweden’s Niclas Fasth in second.
The Swede struggled to hole putts all day and found the water on the final hole. However a deft pitch, back over the hazard, checked up inches from the hole and he was able to save par.
Another Swede, Carl Pettersson, shot the low round of the day. His 65 left him two adrift of Fasth on eight-under in third.