DP World 2018 R3 { 249 images } Created 17 Nov 2018
Masters Champions Patrick Reed and Danny Willett share a one shot lead heading into the final round of the 2018 European Tour season as the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – the eighth and final Rolex Series event of the year – looks set for a dramatic finish.
The 2018 Masters winner Reed made four birdies in six holes on the back nine to sign for a 67 and set the target at 14 under par at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The American was joined at the summit by Englishman Willett, who triumphed at Augusta National in 2016, as he made three birdies in a row from the 14th in a round of 69.
England's Jordan Smith also produced a big finish, birdieing three of the last five holes to move into third place at 13 under par. He is one shot clear of fellow Englishmen Matt Wallace and Lee Westwood – who charged up the leaderboard with a bogey-free round of 65 – and South African Dean Burmester.
Englishman Tom Lewis and Adrian Otaegui of Spain are at 11 under par, with two further Major winners in Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson one shot further back alongside defending champion Jon Rahm and India’s Shubhankar Sharma.
Francesco Molinari remains on course to be crowned European Number One despite sitting nine shots off the lead going into the final round, with his closest rival Tommy Fleetwood one shot better off at six under par but in need of a victory to claim back to back Race to Dubai titles.
Player quotes
Danny Willett: “It would be nice to win tomorrow but there's a lot of golf left, 18 holes. A lot can happen in 18 holes. I'm just happy with the golf game. The golf game is in good shape. The body is feeling good, and like I've said, it's been a long old year with all the stuff that's gone on and for this to be the last event I'm going to play in this year with a field this good is a real bonus. Going to go out and try and play some good golf tomorrow.
“I think even if we weren't in contention, just the way that we've worked and practiced these last three, four months and what I've taken from the range to the golf course and now it's just each week, it's felt a little bit better.
“The result might not have come but everything's been feeling good, and I appreciate this game at times is a little bit tricky when you're not getting results and you feel like things are good and you feel like you're knocking your head against the wall. It's nice to be in this position and nice to be in this position feeling comfortable is more important. It’s fun again.”
The 2018 Masters winner Reed made four birdies in six holes on the back nine to sign for a 67 and set the target at 14 under par at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The American was joined at the summit by Englishman Willett, who triumphed at Augusta National in 2016, as he made three birdies in a row from the 14th in a round of 69.
England's Jordan Smith also produced a big finish, birdieing three of the last five holes to move into third place at 13 under par. He is one shot clear of fellow Englishmen Matt Wallace and Lee Westwood – who charged up the leaderboard with a bogey-free round of 65 – and South African Dean Burmester.
Englishman Tom Lewis and Adrian Otaegui of Spain are at 11 under par, with two further Major winners in Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson one shot further back alongside defending champion Jon Rahm and India’s Shubhankar Sharma.
Francesco Molinari remains on course to be crowned European Number One despite sitting nine shots off the lead going into the final round, with his closest rival Tommy Fleetwood one shot better off at six under par but in need of a victory to claim back to back Race to Dubai titles.
Player quotes
Danny Willett: “It would be nice to win tomorrow but there's a lot of golf left, 18 holes. A lot can happen in 18 holes. I'm just happy with the golf game. The golf game is in good shape. The body is feeling good, and like I've said, it's been a long old year with all the stuff that's gone on and for this to be the last event I'm going to play in this year with a field this good is a real bonus. Going to go out and try and play some good golf tomorrow.
“I think even if we weren't in contention, just the way that we've worked and practiced these last three, four months and what I've taken from the range to the golf course and now it's just each week, it's felt a little bit better.
“The result might not have come but everything's been feeling good, and I appreciate this game at times is a little bit tricky when you're not getting results and you feel like things are good and you feel like you're knocking your head against the wall. It's nice to be in this position and nice to be in this position feeling comfortable is more important. It’s fun again.”
