Ewen Ferguson says Tyrrell Hatton is the man to beat at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with the British pair the nearest challengers to 54-hole leader Daniel Hillier.
The trio will form the final threeball in Sunday’s final round, with Ryder Cup player Hatton backing up a run of pre-tournament good form to be in the mix for a record-equalling fifth Rolex Series title.
Ferguson, who calls Dubai home, is three adrift of Hillier, with Hatton one back after birdieing two of his final three holes on a day of breezy conditions at Emirates Golf Club.
The Scot is targeting his fourth DP World Tour title but is adamant whatever the outcome he will benefit from being in the mix to win the Dallah Trophy.
“I'll just do my own wee thing, and Tyrrell probably is the man to beat, let's be honest," said Ferguson of his Great Britain & Ireland Team Cup teammate.
“He's a bit of a superstar. Pressure doesn't seem to bother him too much. He's got the full package in his golf game.
“But at the same time for me it's not all about winning the tournament. I said before, like getting in these positions is sometimes a win on its own, and this is a step towards kind of doing things like this more regularly.
“And learning to play tomorrow with someone as high class as Tyrrell will be something that even if I play awful, is still going to have me in really good stead going forward.”
Ferguson missed the cut over the Majlis Course 12 months ago, before later facing a battle with vertigo that affected his second half of the campaign, and he is delighted to be impressing in an event that boasts a $9million prize purse.
“Last year at this time of the year, a tournament like this, I didn't think I would be doing this well,” he added. “So, I feel like I'm getting better all the time.”
For the second day running, Ferguson finished in spectacular style as he almost made a hole-out eagle, with his ball hitting the pin to leave a tap-in birdie as he settled for a two-over-par 74.
On Friday, the 28-year-old benefited from a stroke of fortune as his approach into the par five closing hole struck the backboard behind the green and bounced back to five feet for a closing eagle.
Asked whether he can take some confidence from those moments, he said: “You know what, I think you make your own luck in this game, and it kicks you enough, so it's good to kick it back sometimes.
“We'll get to the last tomorrow and try to do the same. Stick to your plan. Try and hit good shots.”
