JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli fired a flawless nine-under 63 while countryman Dean Burmester carded a scintillating 65 as both players vaulted into contention at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Saturday.
Frittelli finished on 14-under after three rounds, with Burmester a single shot behind going into the final round. England’s Justin Rose held the lead on 15-under. Spain’s John Rahm is also on 14-under.
Rose is hoping to win the Race to Dubai - the season long moneylist - as a victory would enable the South African-born player to claim the season-long title. England’s Tommy Fleetwood currently tops the Race to Dubai, and is only two shots behind on 13-under alongside Burmester. A victory on Sunday for either Fleetwood or Rose would clinch the Race to Dubai title, but Burmester and Frittelli will be looking to spoil any double celebrations for the money-leaders.
For Frittelli, it was a familiar leaderboard as he came second at the Turkish Open - a single stroke behind the fast-finishing Rose - at the beginning of November.
Just like in Turkey, Frittelli filled his card with red numbers - he began his third round at the Jumeirah Golf Estates with three birdies in a row. A further gain followed at the par four seventh to go out in four-under.
A birdie at the tenth moved the 27-year-old to five-under for his round, but it was on his final five holes where Frittelli picked up four birdies that ensured he will have a chance at claiming his second European Tour win on Sunday.
Burmester also made the most of good scoring conditions on the day, as he too managed a bogey-free round.
The big-hitting Burmester went out in three-under, and reeled off four birdies on the back nine for seven-under on day three. The 28-year-old, like Frittelli, will be in search of his second European Tour victory in what promises to be an intriguing climax to the season in the final round.