Hero Dubai Desert Classic - Day three digest

Everything you need to know from the third round at Emirates Golf Club.

Daniel Hillier had his eyes on a "life-changing" victory, Tyrrell Hatton was hoping for "putts to drop" and there was more late drama for Ewen Ferguson.

Here is everything you need to know from round three at Emirates Golf Club.

Hillier sets sights on 'life-changing' win

Hillier says victory on Sunday would be “life-changing” as he prepares to take a one-shot lead into the final round. The New Zealander had been four shots clear at one stage on Saturday after three birdies in his first five holes but bogeyed three consecutive holes from the 13th. He responded with a birdie from six feet at the 17th, then cleared the water by a whisker with his second to the last to set up a routine up-and-down gain as he signed for a two-under 70 and 13 under total. “It was a grind,” said Hillier, who won his only previous DP World Tour title at the 2023 Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo. “I figured it was going to be that at the start of the day with all that wind. It was tough but I enjoyed it out there. Have a crack at it tomorrow. I don't think I've played with Tyrrell before, so that should be fun. It will be a good test. He'll be raring to get his hands on that trophy but I'd love to do the same. It will be a fun day. It (a win) would be life-changing."

Hatton hoping putts drop

Hatton, who would tie Jon Rahm for the most Rolex Series victories with five were he to win on Sunday, says he will need some luck on the greens to get the job done following his third-round 68. "For the most part I've been hitting some good shots," he said. "Feel like I've been a little bit unlucky at times as well out there but that's kind of part and parcel of golf. It's been nice to see a few putts go in. Obviously I've missed a few as well but yeah, I need some putts to drop tomorrow.”

'Like a dream' for Bresnu

Adam Bresnu says making the cut has been “like a dream”. The 20-year-old from Morocco is one of three amateurs to have reached the weekend and a third-round 72 left him two under for the week. Bresnu has enjoyed rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in golf. “It's great to be here and make the cut,” said Bresnu. “It's like a dream. When I was a kid, I was looking at Adam Scott when he won the Masters. I was looking at that and now I just played with him. It was really nice. I played a practice round with Jon Rahm. It was nice, I remember I was looking in the practice round, and I was like, alright, who is playing? I saw the last tee times, Jon Rahm, and I was like, 'oh, I'm going to play with him'. He's a nice guy. He gave me a few tips and same with Adam Scott. I think I have the potential. All I need now is just confidence, learn, and what they did, Adam Scott and Jon Rahm, they did it, they gave it to me. So now I think it's only a question of practice and time.”

More late drama for Ferguson

Ewen Ferguson clattered the grandstand with his approach to the 18th on Friday, with a lucky bounce setting up an eagle. Saturday's deflection was definitely more intentional.

When your luck's in

Did Tom McKibbin mean to thread his approach to the 13th through two palm trees? Yes. Did he envisage it skipping through the bunker and slowing up for a close-range eagle? Probably not.