Fisher pulls level with Pieters as McIlroy, Fleetwood lurk in Abu Dhabi
Thomas Pieters was pegged back on the final hole of the day as Ross Fisher drew level at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Published : Jan 20, 2018 20:01 IST
Ross Fisher joined Thomas Pieters at the top of a star-studded leaderboard heading into the final day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with Rory McIlroy their nearest rival.
A five-under round on Saturday had looked to be enough for Pieters to retain a one-shot lead at 17 under, but Fisher kept his cool to birdie the final hole for a 65 and reel the Belgian in.
McIlroy is a shot back after matching Fisher's seven-under score on the third day, despite finally recording his first bogey of the tournament at the 15th.
Tommy Fleetwood - the defending champion and last year's Race to Dubai winner - also remains in touch on 15 under alongside Matt Fitzpatrick, who made nine birdies in his first 12 holes on his way to a stunning 63.
It was a miserable day for Jorge Campillo, though, as he tumbled from second to joint 17th courtesy of a level-par 72.
After ending Saturday in a share of the lead, an upbeat Fisher said: "It was another good day. Obviously it's great fun getting out with Thomas; it's the third day in a row, a lot of fun, a lot of banter.
"I was just trying to hang on. I felt like I played solid. The conditions got very windy and 17 and 18 were playing very tough."
Pieters was satisfied with his play from tee to green, but said: "I missed a lot of putts today."