DUBAI // Whatever happens on what promises to be a gripping final day of the Desert Classic, Louis Oosthuizen can claim to be the dominant personality of the Desert Swing that embraces Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai. Runner-up in the first two legs of the Gulf extravaganza, the South African is well set for at least a comparable finish this evening and is in the right kind of form to capitalise on any mistakes the leader Rory McIlroy might make in his final round. Oosthuizen made his surge during catch-up time on Saturday when he and the majority of the field sought to complete their fog-delayed second rounds.
A back nine of 30 that included five birdies and a hole-in- one at the 11th saw him overtake his rivals to earn a place in the final third-round group with McIlroy and Henrik Stenson. There is never a bad time to strike an ace but Oosthuizen had every right to feel frustrated as his seven iron to the 169-yard 11 disappeared from view. Had he instead achieved the feat for the first time in his professional career at the seventh, which carried a special bonus prize, he would have been Dh150,000 richer. But he was not in the mood to complain.
"You take all the luck you get in this game because you get many unlucky breaks as well," he said. "It was a great shot but you always have to say it's lucky when it goes in." Oosthuizen who is three shots off the pace with 28 holes to play, will not lack confidence today. "I have been swinging well for the last three weeks so it should be fun from here on in." wjohnson@thenational.ae
