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Kaymer clear of field and closing on Abu Dhabi title

19/01/2008

Martin Kaymer is clear favourite for the Abu Dhabi Championship title after preserving a six-shot lead in the event's third round.

The young German finished the day on four-under to keep the chasing pack at bay and home in on his first European Tour title.

After birdies on his first two holes, the 23-year-old consolidated with seven straight pars to reach the turn in 34.

He picked up two more shots on his return to the clubhouse to complete a satisfying day’s work and move to 17-under for the tournament.

"I will just continue to stick to my game plan tomorrow and see what happens. I didn't have a single bogey which was good," he said.

"I felt a little nervous when I started but I had a really good start and made two birdies on the opening two holes and that settled me down and gave me a lot of confidence for the next 16 holes."

The closest challenger to the leader is England's Anthony Wall who surged up through the pack with a round of 65.

A blitz of four consecutive birdies from the second laid the foundations for his round and Wall admits, although it will take something special to overhaul Kaymer, he is clinging to the hope he can catch his man.

"If I am all this way out here away from my wife and my boys I am going to try my hardest when I am here," he said.

"If Martin wins he will probably deserve it as he has led from start to finish, but he has a lot of golf left."

Also outside contenders for a late challenge are Henrik Stenson, who is one behind Wall on ten-under, and Lee Westwood on nine-under.