Dubai Desert Classic: Danny Willett whips up a Desert storm

The Englishman, second to Rory McIlroy in last year’s Race to Dubai, was one shot ahead of the 2012 champion

(Getty)

Danny Willett shot a second successive round of 65, seven under par, to lead the Dubai Desert Classic after yesterday’s third round.

The Englishman, second to Rory McIlroy in last year’s Race to Dubai, was one shot ahead of 2012 champion Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who recorded a third consecutive 67 to be 15 under par.

Defending champion McIlroy saved his round with another blistering back nine, but will begin the final day eight shots behind Willett after a 68.

Willett’s only bogey of the day came on the par-four 12th, but he made amends with a stunning 40ft eagle putt on the next hole and jumped out of the logjam as the sole leader. Another birdie followed on the 17th.

Said Willett: “Back-to-back 65s don’t happen that often. Just some great golf yesterday and today. Kept the ball under fantastic control with some crosswinds, hit it in there close. Did everything right really.”

Cabrera-Bello holed his bunker shot for an eagle on the third, and made a 30ft birdie putt on the fourth, but he wasn’t getting carried away after the round. “There’s still a lot to play for,” he said. “I need to play aggressive, keep playing as good as I have been to give myself a chance.

“Lots of players are not far off the lead. They are definitely as hungry as I am, if not more. So I just have to play my best, stay positive.”

McIlroy, who was six under on the back nine, said: “I would have to play the front nine much better than I have the last two days [to win]. I’ve played it in five over and that’s just not good enough. I came back from seven shots behind at Wentworth [the 2014 PGA Championship], so it’s not out of the realms of possibility, but this is a great field.”