Tyrrell Hatton surprises himself by shooting lowest third round at Dubai Desert Classic

Tyrrell Hatton hits his tee shot on the eighth hole during the third round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Warren Little / Getty Images

DUBAI // After starting the day feeling inadequate in the company of Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton bounced back to fire the lowest round of Round 3 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

His third-round 65 included a run of five birdies and an eagle in the space of seven holes, and took him to nine-under for the tournament.

That put him in a share of seventh place by the close of Day 3, seven shots off the lead set by Garcia.

The Englishman said he had no sense of the excellence that was to follow as he struggled through the final holes of his second round in the morning to post a 70, while playing in one of the marquee matches.​

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“No, not at all,” Hatton said, when asked if he felt a seven-under-par round was within him.

“I didn’t strike the ball particularly well, especially this morning, and playing next to Stenson and Garcia probably exaggerated that for me because they hit the ball so good.

“It was frustrating this morning. Although I scored actually OK, my game just didn’t feel good at all. So I’m very happy with this afternoon’s score.”

It is no surprise to see Hatton’s name so high up the leaderboard at the start of the final morning of a UAE tournament.

He was top going into the final day in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago, while his last three appearances in Dubai have finished 13th at the 2015 DP World Tour Championship, eighth at last year’s Classic, and second at the DP World Tour Championship in November.

“I love being out here,” Hatton said. “The golf courses are fantastic and always in good condition. Quick greens is what players like, so I always look forward to coming back.”

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