RAI'S FLYING SO HIGH... AS TOMMY AND NIC JOIN FUN

AARON RAI heads into the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a one-shot lead - but two-time champion Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard are both breathing down his neck.

- BY EUAN PARSONS

Halfway co-leader Rai flew out of the traps yesterday, with the Brit turning in 31 thanks to five front-nine birdies. He made two more after the turn to briefly hold a three-shot lead before a bogey on the 17th and closing birdies from Ryder Cup stars Fleetwood and Hojgaard cut his advantage.

Rai’s third-round 66 sees him go into today’s fourth round on 20 under par, one clear of nearest challengers Fleetwood and Hojgaard.

Andy Sullivan is in a tie for fifth on 17 under, two ahead of Irishman Shane Lowry and England’s Jordan Smith, with Rory McIlroy (right), Tyrrell Hatton, Connor Syme and Marcus Armitage among those another shot further back.