MARTIN KAYMER HAS surged clear at the top of the Abu Dhabi Championship and will begin tomorrow’s final round with a six shot lead from the chasing pack, which includes Rory McIlroy.

The two-time Major winner has won this event on three previous occasions and is set to finish in the winner’s enclosure once again after carding a seven under par round of 65 on Saturday to establish a healthy lead at the summit.

After outstanding rounds on Thursday and Friday, McIlroy faltered somewhat in the desert as he struggled with the putter and as he finds himself in fifth position, eight shots off the pace, the Northern Irishman admitted he feels deflated.

“I feel like punching myself. I’m very disappointed, I just didn’t putt well – yesterday or today,” he said after his round.

“I hit the ball just as well as I did yesterday and gave myself so many chances but I didn’t convert any. I was very wasteful today. It looks like I’m playing for second place tomorrow.

“You’re always trying to improve and get better and I’m going to have to do something a bit better on the greens to shoot a good number and finish the tournament off well.”

McIlroy opened his round with five straight pars before a birdie on the sixth hole seemed to be the kick-start he needed. However, despite a birdie two on the 12th, he couldn’t find the spark to ignite his round and eat into Kaymer’s lead.

Belgian Thomas Pieters is Kaymer’s nearest challenge but it will be a major upset if the US Open champion doesn’t reign supreme at the Abu Dhabi Golf club again.

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