Fowler breaks away to lead Abu Dhabi golf

Seven third-round birdies have helped Rickie Fowler break away from the pack in the Abu Dhabi Championship, giving him a two-shot lead.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.

Rory McIlroy has part of a five-way lead at the third round at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. (AAP)

Rickie Fowler has birdied three of the remaining seven holes in his third round to break free of a congested leading group and take a two-shot lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

The American shot a seven-under 65 to move to 13 under par on Sunday, and is in good shape to achieve his fourth victory in nine months.

Sixty of the 73 players to make the cut finished their third rounds after morning fog disrupted the playing schedule on Friday and Saturday.

Joost Luiten of the Netherlands eagled No.18 to move into second place on 11 under, one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy (70), Thomas Pieters (64), Matthew Baldwin (67), Branden Grace (66) and Byeong-Hun An (69).

Brett Rumford (70) is best of the Australians, sharing seventh place overall at six under.

McIlroy was with Fowler in a five-way tie for the lead on 10 under when play was suspended due to darkness on Saturday.

Resuming on No.10, McIlroy bogeyed two of his first three holes but recovered with birdies on 15 and 17.

He squandered a chance to be in the final group with Fowler when he drove into the bunker at No.18 - a par five playing easy on Sunday - and missed a 2.4-metre putt for birdie.

Top-ranked Jordan Spieth, who finished his third round in near-darkness Saturday, is six shots behind Fowler.

Wearing high-top golf shoes and ankle-tight jogger pants, Fowler has been making a fashion statement in the Middle East this week. With his play on the course, he is also sending a message to golf's so-called "big three" of Spieth, McIlroy and Jason Day.

Fowler went under the radar after opening with a 70 in a high-profile marquee group for the first two rounds with Spieth and McIlroy. He ranked outside the top 100 for putting after round one, but he said he felt good on the greens in his bogey-free third round, which featured seven birdies.

"The game feels good and I'm excited for the challenge ahead," said Fowler, who tied for 66th in his first appearance in Abu Dhabi, in 2015.

"I feel more comfortable this year."


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Source: AAP


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