Dustin Johnson may finally be over the jet lag and he went to work Saturday, dismantling the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The world’s third-ranked player went on a roll with six birdies and an eagle that produced an eight-under par 64 that put him a shot behind leader Tyrrell Hatton going into Sunday’s finale.
Johnson dialed it up all day and chipped in at the par five eighth for his eagle. He was the first to post 12-under par and will play in the final group with Hatton. Hatton got to 13-under par with a birdie at the final hole for a 68.
D.J. has a lot of company at 12-under, setting up a free-for-all on Sunday. Overnight leader Martin Kaymer opened the door for a host of contenders when he could only manage an even-par 72 to stay at 12-under. Pablo Larazabal (70), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (70) and Tommy Fleetwood (70) joined Johnson and Kaymer in a log-jam tie for second.
Henrik Stenson, ranked No. 4 in the world and 10th-ranked fellow Swede Alex Noren were both just three shots back at 10-under par.
Hatton knows his work is cut out for him given the amount of talent close to him with 18 to play.
“The big names are up there,” he observed, “so I’ve just got to focus on my game and try to play as well as I can.”
