Lee Westwood’s brilliant bogeyfree run ended after 44 holes in the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday, and even a double bogey on the ninth couldn’t wipe the satisfied smile off the Englishman’s face. Westwood started the third round on 11-under par, and appeared to be moving in the right direction with early birdies on the second and third holes.

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But he misjudged the wind and splashed into the water guarding the front of the difficult par-4 ninth hole of the Majlis course for a double bogey.

Four birdies on the back nine and a bogey on the 12th gave him a score of three-under par 69, and he finished the day at 14-under par 202, but six shots behind leader Rory McIlroy.

“I am playing in the last group, so any time you’re in the last group in a tournament on Sunday, you feel you’ve got a chance. You never know what’s going to happen,” said Westwood, who is looking for his second straight win after his triumph towards the end of the year at the Thai Golf Championship.

“I was pleased with the way I played today, arguably as good as I played on the first day. I played really solid with one or two poor shots, for which I got penalised, especially on the ninth where I took a six. But all in all, first week of the year, I’m pleased with where all aspects of my game are at.

“What pleases me most is the fact that I’ve been competitive first week out after six weeks off. Sometimes, you can come out and feel like you’re hitting the ball well and the scoring is not there. It’s like a footballer turning out after an injury and the commentators say he’s not match fit.

“That can happen in golf, as well. You’re just not kind of scoring fit and ready to get up‑and‑down when you need to and make that five to six‑footer when you need to. I’m pleased I’ve been able to do that.”

Another star playing his first tournament of the year is Graeme McDowell, and he was left disappointed with his round despite getting to three-under par after the first six holes.

“I really did not expect that the birdie on the sixth would be my last birdie of the day,” said McDowell, who finished on even-par 72 and dropped to tied eighth place at 12-under par.