• Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Round Three

Kaymer's 66 leaves McIlroy chasing shadows

Martin Kaymer looked on cruise control as he moved into position for a third win in Abu Dhabi © Getty Images

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Martin Kaymer opened up an imperious five-shot lead going into the final day of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship with another impressive round of 66.

Kaymer started out steadily after beginning the day with a three-shot advantage, soon extending that gap with birdies on the third and fifth. Turning in 34, the 26-year-old added three further birdies on the back nine - two of them on the final two holes - to glide away from the field and finish on an 18-under total that leaves him in a commanding position in a tournament he was won in two of the past three seasons.

After the round Kaymer was understandably confident in his game, happy to accept that he is expected to win again from his current position.

"I would like to win by as many as possible," Kaymer, who referred to the 18 holes at Abu Dhabi as his 'home course', said. "I rarely shoot over 70 on this golf course, and that is my aim again tomorrow. I have to play the same way I did today. Now I expect myself to win. I just need to play my game, focus on my golf shots and have fun as well.

"I was avoiding all the bogeys, I think so far I've only made only one this week. My putting feels good so I can score well. I just played well. The only problem that I have at the moment is that I have only made two birdies on the par fives."

With the German's nearest challenger after two rounds, Charl Schwartzel, failing to make real inroads on Saturday, it was left to Rory McIlroy to jump from the field to emerge as Kaymer's likeliest challenger.

For a long time it looked like being an unremarkable day for the Northern Irishman, who brought himself near contention with a 67 on Friday, before a birdie on the 17th and eagle up the last added a real flourish to a 65 that put him 13-under.

"I was all set up with a good drive," McIlroy said of his three down the last. "I was sort of going for the middle of the green because it's not a pin you want to go for. I gave myself a chance with a 25-footer and luckily it went in. I'll take 65 any day."

Despite his positive finish, the 21-year-old holds no expectations for Sunday. He is in a familiar position, having finished third to Kaymer in the same event 12 months ago.

"Martin's a very good leader," McIlroy said. "As long as I go out and hit good golf shots that is all I really care about."

Englishman David Lynn is the only other player who might reasonably hope to overhaul Kaymer on the final day, flying under the radar to shot a 67 that leaves him 12-under and just about within touch of the leader.

Otherwise it was a disappointing day for a number of the overnight contenders. Graeme McDowell endured frustration throughout, finally making birdie on the last to record a 71 that left him off the pace at nine-under. He was joined in that score for the day by the aforementioned Schwartzel, who therefore stayed one ahead on ten-under - still too far behind to consider himself a realistic contender on Sunday.

Swede Alexander Noren finished the day with a 67 that also put him on ten-under, while Gareth Maybin's 69 ensured three Northern Irishmen occupy spots within the top six on the leaderboard.

Elsewhere, American Phil Mickelson carded a level par 72 to remain well adrift on three-under, one ahead of former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie who fell away with a disappointing 75.

World No. 1 Lee Westwood continued to struggle at one-over with a 73, but really the day was once again all about the imperious Kaymer.

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