Garcia holding on in Dubai

Three bogeys on the back nine left Sergio Garcia holding on to a one-stroke lead with four holes of his third round to play at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

The Spaniard is seeking his first win since November 2008 and in that time has slumped from second in the world to his current 79th and took time out to try to discover his zest for the game.

He did not drop a single shot in his first two rounds and though he started with a bogey today he recovered to claim the lead as halfway leader Rory McIlroy slipped back with four bogeys on his front nine.

However, the lead had narrowed again to one after a Garcia bogey at the 434-yard par-four 14th, with former world number one Tiger Woods just two shots back at seven under.

He shot a best-of-the-day 66 yesterday and after an uncertain start in windy conditions at the Emirates Golf Club this morning he recovered to be four under through six holes of his back nine, including an eagle three at the 10th.

Denmark’s Anders Hansen was alongside McIlroy on eight under, one behind Garcia, thanks to birdies at the 10th and 13th.

Alvaro Velasco shot a 65 to climb into a share of fourth place, but Martin Kaymer’s hopes of deposing Lee Westwood as world number one tomorrow faded after a four-over-par 76, leaving the German well down the field.

He needed a top-two finish in Dubai to topple Westwood, who is five under for the tournament after a level-par round today.

Westwood told Sky Sports: "It was a really grinding day, especially this afternoon. We'd seen people go out this morning in probably the easier conditions and shoot some low scores.

“I thought I should have shot 70. I didn’t make a putt over about six feet so that was the main problem. But I played quite solidly, didn’t make too many mistakes and I might have a chance tomorrow.”

His Ryder Cup team-mate McIlroy, the winner here in 2009, endured a tough start and took six at the long third, one of five bogeys on his card in the first 15 holes.

Woods dropped a shot at 16 to go back to six under.