Kaymer believes Donald will be worthy winner of Race to Dubai

The German, who had won the money list race last year, concedes the world No 1 has been the most consistent player in 2011.

Martin Kaymer won the Race to Dubai last year.
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DUBAI // Martin Kaymer may have received arguably the biggest applause of Saturday's third round at the Dubai World Championship, but he always thought Luke Donald would finish this week with the biggest prize.

The German has a chance on Sunday to win what would be a fourth title in the UAE – he can boast a trio of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship victories – after becoming the latest to equal the Earth Course record of 64.

It was a round he ended in spectacular style when he chipped in from the bunker for an eagle on the 18th, which brought the crowd to its feet, leaving him six off the lead.

And Kaymer, last year's Race to Dubai winner, backed Donald, who also topped the PGA Tour money list, to take his crown.

"Rory [McIlroy] did a brilliant job by winning in Hong Kong last week to put himself in a position to win the race, but Luke is such a consistent player that I didn't think he would let the Order of Merit go away," said the 2010 US PGA Champion.

"Luke has all the confidence in the world from being No 1. It's fun to be in that situation; it was for me last year."

Kaymer, third on the money list, began the day on level-par and then six birdies and that eagle took him to eight under for his round and the championship, to go along with Peter Hanson and Alvaro Quiros – who both shot 64 this week – and Lee Westwood, who first set the course record a year ago.

"I need a similar round on Sunday and, as it's the last tournament of 2011, I will give everything," he said.

ncameron@thenational.ae

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