Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy maintain lead in Dubai

Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy have maintained their lead over the rest of the pack after round three of the Dubai World Tour Championship.

© AP Photos

The world's top two players both shot six-under par on Saturday to move to 17-under overall, three ahead of South African duo Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.

McIlroy, the current world number one, began the round with a bogey, but recovered by hitting five birdies and an eagle throughout the remaining 17 holes.

Donald, meanwhile, hit another faultless round, putting him on the brink of being the first man to win a European Tour event without dropping a shot since 1995.

© AP Photos

Marc Warren, who shared the lead with McIlroy and Donald going into the third day, shot a level par 72, causing him to fall to seventh place on 11 under, the same tally as fellow Brits Justin Rose and Jamie Donaldson.

Play will conclude in Dubai tomorrow.