Shubhankar battles to an even 72; Paul Casey leads Dubai Desert Classic

An eight under 64 catapulted Paul Casey into the lead in the Dubai Desert Classic, ahead of Robert MacIntyre and Brandon Stone

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ODDC-ShubhankarSharma-Pic: Joy Chakravarthy

30 January 2021: After some early promise, Shubhankar Sharma found himself in a difficult negotiation with the Emirates Golf Club course for much of the third round. It was moving day in the Dubai Desert Classic, but Shubhankar was bound to the ground, forced to absorb the penalties of an errant round. In the end, 72 felt like a decent outcome, with the 24-year-old playing some dogged golf to address three bogeys through eleven holes. At the top,  Paul Casey surpassed the brilliant efforts of Robert MacIntyre and Brandon Stone for a comfortable two-stroke advantage into the final round in Dubai.

A birdie at the second suggested that Shubhankar may be set for a strong round. But a three-putt on the third and dalliances with the rough on the par-4 sixth cost a stroke each as the Indian borrowed an extra stroke from the course. At the par-4 ninth, Shubhankar shot his second birdie to ensure that made the turn on even terms.

A bogey at the eleventh sent him over par again, but the Indian played with great commitment through the rest of his trek. In the end, Shubhankar reaped the rewards of his patience, as he extracted a birdie on the final hole to secure an even 72 on his card. At 6-under he reaches Sunday in the 17th spot and a top ten remains well within his reach.

Paul Casey - European Tour
Paul Casey – European Tour

Casey started the week jet-lagged from a long haul flight from the USA, but has shown no sign of wear and tear since then. He shot to the top of the leaderboard with a 64 on Saturday. His card was littered with birdies. Casey made four on the front nine, and added two more on the home stretch. He signed off with an eagle on the 18th hole, moving to 15-under through 54 holes.

“It was the perfect club. It always helps when you have a nice number in there. It’s a glorious finish. I said to Johnny on the fairway there, that was a cool-looking shot when Monty hit a driver off the deck without the skyline you get now, and it might be cooler now with the skyline. It’s one of the iconic shots in golf, isn’t it. To have a perfect three iron in there and finish off with an eagle is pretty cool.

“I mean, you can never say flawless, can you, because there’s always errors but it was very controlled. Really enjoyable round of golf, challenging yet at the same time with a little bit of wind here and there. Like I said to you, I’ve said to you many times it seems so far this week, I’m enjoying my golf, and that was an example of it today.

“I’ve been very fortunate. The strong asset I have in this game is the way I drive it, the length. The game has gone more and more towards length, and I’m fortunate that I’m still able to lean on that strength and compete out here.

MacIntyre looked set to extend his advantage, but a bogey on the fourth and a double on the next dampened an otherwise rampant round of golf. The Scot started the day with a birdie on the second and an eagle on the third, before returning the gains by the fifth hole. But the 24-year-old made light the mild slump collecting five more birdies for his second 67 this week. MacIntyre is lying second, one behind Casey, at 14-under 202.

“I played great golf. Again, I controlled my golf ball I think as good as I have all week. The wind was up more today. I was patient, and committed to every shot. That’s something I struggled with last year. But this year, it’s been drilled into me by many people: Accept what comes. Just control what you can control. And it’s working well.

“It’s as high as it’s ever been. I’m driving it great. Three wood, five wood, new clubs in the bag, they have been absolutely brilliant. And I’m striking it. I really am striking my irons as well as I struck it late last year. Looking forward to tomorrow and see what it brings.

“Same as always, go for it. I’m not going to hang about. I’m going to put it all on the line whether it’s good or bad. But tomorrow, hopefully it’s going to be good and I’ve just got to enjoy it again. It’s another experience that I want to get, you know what I mean. It’s something that not many people get the chance at my age to do, and I’ll give it everything I’ve got. It would be unbelievable. Still a long way to go, 18 holes. I’m just focused on the tee shot off the first tomorrow.

South African Brandon Stone is in third, courtesy a fine 66 in the third round. Stone shot five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 thirteenth hole, putting himself firmly in the mix for Sunday glory.

Laurie Canter and Sergio Garcia are lying in fourth at 10-under with Kalle Samooja a further stroke back from them. Thomas Detry, in the lead overnight, slipped to T7 after posting a disappointing 74 on Saturday. Justin Rose and Justin Harding are also at 8-under with Detry.

Mikko Korhonen, Tommy Fleetwood, Alexander Levy, Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington, Scott Jamieson, and Shane Lowry are on the same bus at 7-under with the crowded leaderboard foretelling a thrilling battle on Sunday, not only for silver but also for the consolation of a top ten finish.