Round 3 of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open was anything but boring as Australian Lucas Herbert managed to keep his top spot on the leaderboard. Herbert goes into the final round with just a one shot lead as the race to the trophy begins to heat up, American Johannes Veerman is just one shot back from Herbert after shooting a handsome 5 under 67.
The remaining players in the top ten of the leaderboard will have some work to do if they are to challenge Herbert and Veerman in round 4. South Africa’s Justin Harding had what was by far his best round of the tournament as he carded a 7 under 65, launching him up the leaderboard to 3rd.
Fan favourites Andy Sullivan and Forrest Grant slid down the leaderboard marginally to T7, Despite Sullivan’s 6 under 66 in round 2 he couldn’t keep the momentum going for round 3 as he carded a bland 1 over 73. Grant matched Sullivan by also shooting a plus 1 for the day but not all hope is lost, the pair are just 5 shots back from the leader and we all know that anything can happen on a Sunday.
The biggest name in best shape can only be Tommy Fleetwood, the Englishman was bogey free for round 3 until the 15th hole but he still managed to card a stellar 4 under 68. Currently sitting at T12 on the leaderboard with his fellow countryman Richard Bland, Fleetwood will do all he can to break into the top 10 and he might just find the shots to do even better.
Sadly yesterday wasn’t the day that Shane Lowry had hoped for, shooting a mediocre 2 over 74, Lowry spent most of his third round just trying to hold his spot on the leaderboard. Lowry was the only Irishman on the right side of the cut line and due to his poor score in round 3 he will have his final round over with long before the final groups tee off.
Like Lowry, the highly anticipated Rory McIlroy failed to impress shooting a 1 over 73. With two double bogey’s on holes 4 and 16, McIlroy couldn’t come by enough birdies to offset his high numbered scorecard. McIlroy’s fellow countryman Graeme McDowell surprised many in the third round, as the 41 year old managed to shake off his opening bogey’s on holes 1, 2 and 3 to go on and card a modest 2 under 70.
It’s going to be all go at Mount Juliet Estate as we look on to the tournaments fourth and final round. Lucas Herbert will be gunning to lock up his second ever European Tour win while the likes of Veerman and Harding will be waiting to capitalise on Herbert’s mistakes. Anything can happen on a Sunday, it’s not impossible to see the styles of Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnson or Dale Whitnell prevail in a high-pressure final round.
Have a look at the top of the leaderboard after round 3 here:
The final round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will tee-off early Sunday, with the leaders Herbert and Veerman teeing off at 13:10pm.
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