Matt Wallace reels off 12 birdies to card sizzling 60 in Dubai

Matt Wallace shot a stunning third-round 60 at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, registering 12 birdies in the 12-under-par round, including one on each of his last nine holes.

It left the 33-year-old two shots clear at the top of the leaderboard on 16 under, with Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard, yet to complete his third round, his closest rival.

FULL LEADERBOARD

He had been on for a 59 before completing his final hole in four.

Put to him that he had equalled DP World Tour records for the most birdies made in one round and the most consecutive birdies, Wallace told Sky Sports: "Equalled? Didn't get it!

"What a day, amazing day. I just tried my hardest to get myself back into the tournament, so I'm really happy I've been able to do that and played great.

It was a good day also for Rory McIlroy who shot a seven-under par round of 65 to move to -8.

The 34-year-old – who stated he was "in neutral" during a second round 72 – didn't drop a single shot, and finished with an eagle at the last. He will start the final round eight adrift of Wallace at the top of the leaderboard.

Shane Lowry and Tom McKibbin began the round tied for 17th, but both failed to match yesterday’s showing.

McKibbin enjoyed the better of things in the third round, a round of 70 that sees the 20-year-old sitting on seven-under par, one clear of his compatriot.

Lowry was battling at different stages to try and replicate his second round 67.

A bogey at the par-three fourth after finding the greenside bunker was a tricky start, and a couple of further birdies were cancelled out by a pair of bogeys before finishing with a flourish with an eagle at the last for a 71.

The Offaly man will begin the final round on six-under par.