Jimenez holds firm as Els leads the chase
BY iseekgolf.com | European PGA Tour | 2005 Dubai Desert Classic | Round Three | 06 Mar 2005
Tournament leader Miguel Angel Jimenez heads into the final round of the US$2.2 million Dubai Desert Classic after a third round 68 moved him to 16-under par (200) – but with Ernie Els breathing down his neck just one shot behind on -15 (201) the Spaniard will have to be at his best to win his second title of the season.
Despite a shocking double bogey on the opening hole today (March 5) that left him four shots behind overnight leader and playing partner Jimenez, Els bounced back with seven birdies to card a 67 and keep the heat on the unflappable Spaniard. Add a surging Colin Montgomerie to the mix on 13-under (203) and the final 18 holes on Sunday (March 6) promise to be a thrilling end to the Dubai Aluminium-sponsored event.
“The game is still with me even though it was only four birdies today,” said the 41-year-old Jimenez. “I left a few putts short as the greens are very fast and you don’t want to be too aggressive. Tomorrow I hope the ball drops in the hole a bit more.”
Despite taking that four-shot lead over Els, Jimenez claimed not to have taken heart from his playing partner’s mistake. "It can happen to anyone and I didn’t think anything of it. I have to concentrate on my own game and not worry about what Ernie is up to."
But with Els bouncing back as determined as ever to become the first three-time Desert Classic champion and Montgomerie turning back the clock to his vintage years, the destination of the 16th Desert Classic title is still very much anyone’s guess.
“Miguel’s really playing well – I don’t think he missed a shot today,” said Els. “He’s had three really great years on Tour and he’s comfortable with his game. Monty, he’s three shots behind, I’m one shot behind but the way Miguel is playing, you’ve got to play really well to beat him tomorrow. There are no weaknesses in his game at the moment.”
The world number three, however, is also playing superbly. “I played really well from tee to green,” added Els. “I still don’t know what I did on the first hole but you’re never too old to learn – you’ve got to respect the old game.”
While Jimenez and Els were slugging it out in yesterday’s final group, former European number ones Montgomerie and Lee Westwood were making their impressive charges through the field. Montgomerie, who is on a personal crusade to get back into the world’s top 25, rattled in a 66 when it could very easily have been a lot lower.
“I had four glorious chances at the last four holes and not one went in, but that’s golf, I suppose,” said Montgomerie, who bizarrely likened his comeback attempt to the task of eating an elephant.
“It’s very difficult to try and move yourself up bit by bit. It’s like trying to eat an elephant – I can do it; it’s just I have to have it bite by bite. Tomorrow I need minimum, minimum, 66 or 65 or something like that to have a chance so it’s a challenge and I’ll look forward to it.”
Westwood also turned on the style that was as dazzling as his bright orange trousers. Like Montgomerie, he also saved his best round for day three – a 67 – that was only marred by two bogeys and saw him end the day on 205 (-11) just five shots behind the leader. “I just feel like I should have shot 62,” said the Englishman. “My swing feels as comfortable as it has in a long, long time. I holed a couple of decent putts out there with a bit of break on them so the ball is generally going where I want it to.”
But while Westwood adds his name to the illustrious list of Jimenez, Els and Montgomerie at the sharp end of the leader board, one unheralded name also remains in contention. A third round 69 from quiet Welshman Stephen Dodd moved him to 204 (-12) and the winner of the recent China Open is well placed to take advantage of any slip by his big name rivals although he admits he’ll have to raise his game to stay in the hunt.
“I played poorly, but it’s nice to get a score of 69 playing like that,” said Dodd. “I didn’t have a very good feel and I didn’t hit very many good iron shots. I’ll have to play a lot better than that to win tomorrow – there are many big names up there.”
Source – Dubai Desert Classic
