Stenson on course for Gulf swing sweep

Starting from the 10th hole, Stenson carded four birdies on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 18th as he blazed his way through his first nine holes. His National Course master-class carried on through the turn, and despite a pair of bogeys on holes 4 and 6, the resilient Swede hit straight back with a pair of birdies to finish his round at five under par.

The highlight of the day was an unbelievable putt on the ninth - his last hole - which left him one under for the last nine.

"I held a monster putt from the fringe on the 9th, my final hole. It was almost like Tiger's chip in at Augusta, I hit it right up there and then it just came around and rolled down. As soon as I saw it come in on the green I knew it was going to be very close. It almost stopped on the edge of the hole before it tipped and went it," said Stenson.

Stenson's majestic round puts him in pole position to claim the missing Abu Dhabi title in his Gulf Swing set of triumphs. However, the current world number 16 was realistic of his chances in the UAE capital.

"Having put myself in at the start, it gives me something good to build on, and I hope I can continue to play well throughout the week to give myself a chance on Sunday.

"That's all you can do. It's almost like a 63 hole work week leading into the final nine. Hopefully you're only a couple off or leading by a couple and you have a chance. Anybody who is up will have a chance.

"The players are so good now, it is anyone's trophy. The more experienced players often have an edge, but the younger players coming through - who haven't won yet - are often hungry to win also, so it doesn't matter who you are up against," added the UAE-based star.