A desert stormer

MAC EYES LI’S DUBAI LEAD

WINDFALL: Stokes was snapped up despite his court charge RORY McILROY will be breathing down the neck of leader Haotong Li as he looks to claim a third title in the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic today.

Chinese Li moved to 20 under par after carding a stunning 64 – within touching distance of the record low score of 22 set by Thomas Bjorn in 2001.

But he knows that McIlroy (right), who signed for a 68 yesterday, will be gunning to overturn the one-shot advantage as the Northern Irishman aims to equal Ernie Els as a three-time winner of the even at Emirates Golf Club.

Li, 22, said: “I have never been in this position before so it’s going to be fun out there. Hopefully I can do my best and have some low scores.

“I just want to play by myself and play my game. I thought if I just stayed patient, I’ll play good, so I just stayed patient all day.” Frenchamn Alexander Levy and South African Haydn Porteous are also in the mix at 17 under – a shot clear of Andy Sullivan and two ahead of David Horsey.

McIlroy, 28, wasn’t at his best during the third round but fought hard to stay in contention and set up a potentially thrilling final day.

His back-nine effort of 32 blows was crucial as Li threatened to pull clear.

And he insists he was looking forward to today’s tussle.

“I showed that even when I didn’t have my best stuff I was able to battle around and get in at a decent score,” he said.

“The back nine has been good to me this week. I just need to figure out how to play the front a bit better, hopefully get off to a good start.

“It would be great to put my name on that trophy for a third time. This is one of my favourite tournaments of the year, a place I’ve always done well at, some good memories.

“Maybe that experience of winning a couple of times around here, being in contention quite a lot, will help me.”

Li’s round got off to a great start with a birdie on the first and a stunning approach to the fifth handed him another.

When he repeated the trick on the eighth, with McIlroy surrendering a bogey after a poor chip, Li had a two-shot lead.

Another highlight of the day came when Levy aced the fourth from 171 yards with a nine iron.