ABU DHABI // Martin Kaymer has always looked comfortable on the National course and he did so again this afternoon, shooting six birdies to finish on 15-under going into the final day. The German's score is equal to his winning tally in 2008 when he held off Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson to win the title by four strokes. But, with the leaderboard remaining crammed with high-profile names, he will not have it as easy tomorrow. Both Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy are tied behind in second on 14-under. Kaymer started the day in thrilling fashion, quickly surpassing the overnight leader Rick Kulacz after notching five birdies on the front nine. After a small blip on the 11th where he bogeyed the par-4, he played to par until the 18th where, knowing a birdie would give him the sole lead, finished in four to walk off the green smiling. Poulter and McIlroy, playing together, enjoyed a tremendous duel as they both battled for a share of the lead. And had it not been for the Northern Irishman's aggressive play on the 11th, he would likely have managed it. After a fine drive set him up in the centre of the fairway, the 20-year-old tried to hit the green and lay-up for an eagle. But having drilled the ball through the green, he then struggled to pitch on and was left with a testing putt for par, which he missed. Poulter, for his part, played consistent, picking up six birdies and blemishing his card only on the fifth where he bogeyed. gmeenaghan@thenational.ae