World number one Dustin Johnson will take a commanding lead into the final round of the Masters after producing a record-equalling performance at Augusta National.
Johnson fired an eagle and five birdies in a flawless third round of 65 to finish 16 under par – matching the 54-hole scoring record set by Jordan Spieth in 2015.
Australia's Cameron Smith, Mexico's Abraham Ancer and Korea's Sung-jae Im are Johnson's nearest challengers, all four shorts behind.
But the trailing trio know they will start the final round on Sunday with Johnson the heavy favourite.
It is a significant deficit but the chances are that at least one will play well enough to apply a little heat on the American.
Ancer is not the longest hitter around, but has been so impressive on his Masters debut.
Not that he sounded particularly confident of reeling in Johnson.
"We know that we have to go low, and that's it," he said, after a three-under-par 69, speaking for himself and the other challengers.
"It's very simple. We have to just make a lot of birdies. I mean, if DJ [Johnson] goes out there and plays really solid like today, it's going to be pretty much impossible to catch him.
"It's not going to be easy, but you know whatever has to be done out there has to be pretty special."
Fellow Masters debutant Im shot 68 and said that he felt like he knew the course well, despite never having played at Augusta until now.
"I watched the Masters growing up so many times that I feel like I'm used to playing this course, even though this is my first time," said Im, whose backswing is so deliberate it could be issued a slow play warning.
"I want to just stay composed, stick to my game plan, try to minimise as many mistakes as possible, and hopefully have a good finish."
Smith, who also shot 69, is an Augusta veteran compared with Ancer and Im as this is his fourth Masters tournament.
Excitement barely begins to describe his feelings.
"I mean, it's what we dream about," he said. "That's why we want to play. I really just can't wait for tomorrow."
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
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Torque: 175Nm
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
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