Benjamin Hebert closing on his third victory in season

Benjamin Hebert leads by two at Dubai. Warren Little / Getty Images

DUBAI // Benjamin Hebert would be happy to become the first man to win three tournaments on the European Challenge Tour in separate seasons, because it would assure him a promotion to the European Tour for the 2015 season.

He has no interest, though, in winning three in a season for a third time.

The Frenchman yesterday shot his second consecutive bogey-free round to take a two-shot lead heading in to the final day of the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final at Al Badia Golf Club.

“I don’t want to think too much about being the first player to win three times for a second time,” Hebert said. “The only thing I want to think about is playing well tomorrow and then make sure that I won’t be coming back to the Challenge Tour, and I can stay on the European Tour.” Closest to Hebert is Oliver Farr of Wales, and he also is angling for a high finish to grab one of the 15 promotions to the European Tour.

He began the tournament in a semi-precarious position, 13th on the money list. His 69 yesterday should earn him promotion, barring a collapse today.

“My game’s been really good this week,” said Farr, 26, who a year ago was playing on the satellite EuroPro Tour before securing his first season on the Challenge Tour. “I was in this situation a year ago, needing a good finish in the last event of the season, and I feel fine.

“I have tried to remember what I did last year and it seems to be working so far.”

Antonio Hortal, the Spaniard who began the tournament in 15th place, improved his chances of a promotion with a four-under-par 68 to take him into joint fifth. One of the five men sharing a 212 score is Denmark’s Lasse Jensen, who was 19th before this tournament and shot a 68 yesterday.

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