McIlroy clings to share of lead in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Rory McIlroy, despite a 3-over-par 75 Saturday, owns a share of the lead going into the final round of the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic.

Windy conditions made it difficult to post low scores, as shown by McIlroy, who opened the day with three bogeys and had five on the day in falling to 8-under 208 after 54 holes.

Thomas Aiken had just one birdie in a 2-over 74 and Anders Hansen overcame back-to-back bogeys for a 1-under 71 in pulling into a tie with McIlroy for the lead.

Seven players are tied for fourth at 7-under. The logjam includes Alvaro Velasco, who played early Saturday and turned in a 7-under 65, jumping from 58th place after two rounds into contention.

Also in the group at 7-under are Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.

Woods's round opened with two bogeys and included two other bogeys, a double bogey, three birdies and an eagle for a roundabout tip to even-par 72. Garcia was in the lead part of the day but had three bogeys in a four-hole span of the back nine and a double bogey at the 17th hole for a third-round score of 3-over.

McIlroy had just two bogeys in his first two rounds but was 3-over after three holes Saturday. He also bogeyed Nos. 7 and 11. His only birdies on the day came at the ninth and 12th holes.