Wall, Stenson & Westwood set-up thrilling National Course finale

Kaymer’s own round of 68 – including a timely birdie on the 18th - maintained a healthy six-stroke margin at the top of the Abu Dhabi leaderboard. The young German is 17-under par going into the last 18 holes and is the red hot favourite to lift the ‘Falcon’ and claim his maiden European PGA Tour victory.

“My putting wasn’t quite as good, but it was alright. I had a really good start and opened with two birdies, that settled me down and gave me the confidence for the next 16,” said Kaymer, who seems to be relishing the pressure of leading.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow. I plan to stick to my game plan tomorrow and see what happens…we will see.”

After a bogey-free round of 65, it was Anthony Wall who emerged as Kaymer’s chief ‘Falcon’ rival – the Englishman lying at 11-under par.

“If Kaymer hits it in the rough three or four times in the first few holes then we all have a chance so who knows. You just need to keep making solid pars and maybe nicking a few birdies here and there…because you know you are going to drop a few,” said Wall.

Stenson’s own vital birdie at the last ensured he’ll enter the business end of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in sole third place, at 10-under par. Stenson’s challenge hit a snag when the cool Swede uncharacteristically bogeyed two of the last four holes.

“I’m not feeling 100% with my long game - off the tee I am struggling a little bit and having to hold back and hit a lot of three woods. Martin is obviously ripping the driver down there, so I was having to play first into the greens almost all the time,” added the UAE-based star.

“I think it has been a one man show this week so far and if he continues with a solid round tomorrow it is his tournament and I think he has made it pretty clear to all of us that he wants this one in Abu Dhabi.”

Starting the day at 13-under par, Kaymer’s scintillating rounds of 66 and 65 threatened to turn the Championship into a one horse race. However, perfect morning conditions allowed a group of hopefuls to form a chasing pack behind the young German, who teed-off at 12:55 with Stenson – at the time his nearest challenger at 7-under par.

Ireland’s Paul McGinley and England’s Luke Donald– with rounds of 66 and 67 respectively – made the early running. Abu Dhabi debutant and swing king Donald produced his best National round to date, but at 5-under par he remains 12 shots shy of Kaymer’s blistering pace.

Lee Westwood’s majestic 65 propelled him into fourth place at 9-under but the chasing pack know they’ll have to produce the rounds of their careers to have any chance of stopping Kaymer.

“It was nice to put a score on the board today, my putting was better and I hit my irons closer to the pins which helped me gain a bit of momentum,” said McGinley.

“Kaymer’s on fire and he’s a hell of a good player. I can only paddle my own canoe though and I need to go out there tomorrow and shoot a good score, that’s more important than playing well.”