David Micheluzzi is in the mix for victory at the Qatar Masters but the Australian is going to have to produce something special to overhaul rock-solid pacesetter Patrick Reed.
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Micheluzzi's splendid week, which kicked off with a hole-in-one on the short third at Doha Golf Club on Thursday, continued on Saturday's moving day as he fired a three-under 69 to lie in joint-fifth place going into Sunday's finale.
The Victorian, who had six birdies and three bogeys in his up-and-down round, is on 10 under, just two shots behind the second-placed Dane, Jacob Skov Olesen.
But like the rest of the field, he'll have to hope for a slip-up from 2018 Masters champion Reed, who's two shots clear, and looks unshakeable having not dropped a shot in 21 holes.
The 35-year-old American went round in a two-under par 70 and looks in great shape to win his second European tour title in three weeks.
He birdied the second hole with a 20 footer and got up-and-down for another on the par-five 10th.
His path was made easier when Swede Joakim Lagergren surged clear on the front nine, only to rack up four bogeys over his last 11 holes and fall back to 10 under alongside Micheluzzi, Finland's Oliver Lindell and Italian Gregorio De Leo.
New Zealander Daniel Hillier and Spain's Angel Ayora are tied for third on 11 under.
"I felt like I hit the ball better today than I did the last two days ... well, really compared to yesterday, and two shots worse. So it's an interesting game," Reed said.
"The golf game feels good, it feels solid, it feels steady and really just got to go out there and keep the foot on the gas tomorrow."
If he wins, having triumphed in the Dubai Desert Classic a fortnight ago and lost out in a play-off for the Bahrain Championship last week, Reed, who left LIV Golf last month, will be in a strong position atop the Race of Dubai order of merit to win back his PGA tour card.
Jason Scrivener has had a decent week among the Australian contingent and is on seven under for the tournament, tied for 20th, having shot 70 on Saturday. Ryan Peake shot a third successive 71 to sit at three under, in joint-42nd position.
Australian Associated Press
