Lombard hits front as McKibbin breaks into top-20 in UAE

Zander Lombard fired a flawless 63 in the third round of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship to head into the final day with a one-shot lead as he goes in search of a first DP World Tour title. The 28-year-old South African went into the weekend four shots off the lead but made six birdies on the front nine on Saturday to catapult himself into contention. And further birdies at the 12th, 17th and 18th - as well as a stunning par save on the 14th - saw Lombard reach 16 under par and take over at the top of the leaderboard.

Dane Rasmus Hojgaard was Lombard's nearest challenger on 15 under after managing to save par at the last despite finding the water there.

Holywood's Tom McKibbin leads the Irish challenge after a fine round of 67 lifted him into the top-20, though Padraig Harrington's chances faded after a poor back nine.

McKibbin's outward nine of 32 was decorated by a spectacular eagle on the 8th and he held firm on the difficult back nine, carding four birdies and three bogeys to reach eight-under for the tournament.

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It was a frustrating afternoon for Harrington, however, who briefly threatened the leaders around the turn before a poor back nine sent him tumbling backwards.

The former Ryder Cup captain was six-under thru 10 for his round, climbing to 11-under for the tournament and into the reckoning.

But a bogey on the par-3 11th started his troubles, with another following at the 12th. He then dropped a shot at another short hole at 15. And after plonking his drive in the water at the 18th, he wound up with bogey at the closing hole, matching his effort on Friday.

Tournament leader Lombard showed great resilience on day three, chipping in from just off the eighth green at the second attempt after only managing