Kaymer closes in on maiden victory
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2008 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship | Round Three | 20 Jan 2008
Martin Kaymer has continued his domination of the Abhu Dhabi Championship, adding a round of 68 to lead by six shots after 54 holes and his first win on the European Tour now seems just a matter of a day away.
England’s Anthony Wall made a big move with a third round of 65 but the German still enjoys a huge shot lead over Wall with another shot back to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. Kaymer was rock solid in round three picking up four birdies but importantly not giving any ground to his chasers with a bogey free round.
With two near misses in his rookie season in 2007, Kaymer is now better prepared to handle the pressures of leading and the possibility of winning his first European Tour event. While such a substantial lead can at times be a difficult one, his inevitable first victory awaits.
Wall has not won since 2000 but he has often contended and he may well present a challenge to Kaymer while the very experienced Stenson could also mount a challenge on the final day. It would appear however that both will need to go very low to catch the brilliant German.
Lee Westwood gave himself some hope of victory with a third round of 65 to move from 18th to 4th but is eight shots adrift of the leader.
The best of the Australians is Scott Strange who added a third round 66 to move to seven under and into a share of 6th place. The West Australian is into his second full season in Europe after safely retaining his card when finishing 106th on the European Tour last year.
The understated West Australian had two good finishes in Hong Kong and at the MasterCard Masters and appears to be developing into a player capable of a successful career on the European Tour.
Adam Scott’s round of 71 lost him ground and at 3 under he is now in 29th position, Paul Sheehan 4th and Richard Green 52nd.
