Scotsman Stephen Gallacher fired a stunning 62 to take a three-shot lead at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday, while Australian Marcus Fraser is tied for 10th. Gallacher&aposs round of 10 under saw him move ahead of overnight leader Richard Sterne of South Africa, who is outright second at the European Tour event. Dane Thorbjorn Olesen is third at 16 under, five shots off the pace, while Chilean Felipe Aguilar, Indian Jeev Milkha Singh and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood are seven shots adrift in a tie for fourth. Fraser continued his fine tournament with another 69 to be a in a tie for 10th place at 11 under. It almost looks a race in three with just one day remaining at the Emirates Golf Club, such was the dominance of Gallacher, who has an overall score of 21 under. The 28-year-old, who shot a nine-under 63 on the tournament&aposs first day, went one better on Saturday after a superb round of golf that included two eagles and six birdies. Three birdies in the first five holes saw Gallacher begin on a bright note before he made up further shots on holes nine, 11 and 12. And a pair of eagles on the 13th and 18th capped off Gallacher&aposs superb day as he moved into the box seat to win his second European Tour event, more than eight years after his initial triumph. After holding the lead for the first two days, Sterne who has an overall score of 18 under – still remains in contention thanks to a six under 66. A bogey on the first was not the ideal start for Sterne but he responded with seven birdies throughout the rest of his round to keep the pressure on Gallacher. Olesen did not make a blemish in his first two days and although he hit two bogeys on Saturday, seven birdies outweighed that in his round of 67. Aguilar and Singh also impressed, shooting 66 and 67 respectively, and will be quietly confident of continuing their form on the tournament&aposs final day, while Fleetwood hit a three-under 69. Beyond that, winning chances seem minimal, with German Maximilian Kiefer and Englishman Steve Webster on an overall score of 13 under in a two-way tie for seventh, eight shots off the pace. World number eight Lee Westwood is in outright ninth at 12 under while a group of nine players are tied for 10th, 10 shots behind Gallacher. Defending champion Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain is 12 shots adrift of the leader in a tie for 25th.
Author: Omnisport