Dubai Desert Classic: Late spate of birdies sees Bryson DeChambeau take slender lead into final round

Defending champion Li Haotong surged into contention with a five-under-par 67 on Saturday

Bryson DeChambeau shot a five-under-par 67 on day three in Dubai (Getty)

Bryson DeChambeau’s maverick rise showed no sign of slowing as the eccentric American posted a four-under-par 68 on Saturday to retain his lead at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Nicknamed ‘The Professor’, the 25-year-old has revelled in the physics of leaving the flag in this week as he chases first victory outside of the US at Emirates Golf Club.

The world No 5, who has already won five PGA Tour events in just two-and-a-half years as a professional, started ponderoulsy and parred the opening five holes allowing the leaderboard to cluster.

But after making the turn, a late spate of birdies at the desert Majlis Course secured a slender lead to take into Sunday.

“I can’t express to you how awesome it would be to win on the European Tour,” DeChambeau said afterwards.

“I’m still leading, obviously. It’s fantastic. I couldn’t be displeased with that but my expectation levels are for how I know I can perform, and I feel like I’m under-performing a little bit.

“I’m still in the lead, still got the job done. I made it happen when necessary and hopefully I can have one more of those days and maybe even a better-ball striking day.”

The 25-year-old will have to battle off defending champion Li Haotong, who surged into contention with a five-under-par 67 on Saturday and lurks just one-shot back on 15-under-par in total.

Li Haotong is in contention to defend his title (Getty)

“It would mean a lot,” Li said. ”I just want to play my best over there and tomorrow, hopefully, hold the trophy again.

“It was pretty decent [today]. Actually the long game has been way better than the last couple of days. Yeah, it’s just a solid day today.”

Ernie Els, who has delighted in a return to form at one of his favoured events, remains in pursuit of a 29th European Tour title after a steady 70 and lies three shots back alongside Englishman Matt Wallace.