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Kaymer stretches European Tour lead

Martin Kaymer,shown in a 2010 file photo, has built a five-stroke lead going into Sunday's final round of the European Tour tournament in the United Arab Emirates. UPI/Brian Kersey
Martin Kaymer,shown in a 2010 file photo, has built a five-stroke lead going into Sunday's final round of the European Tour tournament in the United Arab Emirates. UPI/Brian Kersey | License Photo

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Martin Kaymer shot 6-under-par 66 Saturday, extending his lead to five strokes going into the final round of the European Tour's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Kaymer was bogey-free for the second consecutive round and, at 18-under 198 after 54 holes, is well positioned to defend the Abu Dhabi title he won last year. Also, if he finishes in the top seven -- and he's got a nine-stroke lead over that position -- he'll overtake Tiger Woods for the world No. 2 ranking.

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Rory McIlroy finished with an eagle on the par-5, 557-yard 18th hole for a 7-under 65. That moved him into second place at 13-under for the tournament. He's had an eagle in each round this week.

David Lynn (67 Saturday) is alone in third at 12-under while Alexander Noren (67) and Charl Schwartzel (71) are tied for fourth, eight strokes off the lead.

Kaymer has had just one bogey this week -- No. 3 on his first round -- but has birdied that hole twice since. He added a birdie at the fifth hole and another at the 11th and was 3-under through 14 holes. He finished with a flourish, getting birdies at 15, 17 and 18.

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