Focused McKibbin closes on leading trio at Qatar Masters

Rasmus Højgaard, Ugo Coussaud and Rikuya Hoshino sit just one shot clear of the Irishman and the rest of the field after exciting Saturday 

EYEING A PRIZE: Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland is just one shot back of the lead in Qatar. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Ireland's Tom McKibbin put himself firmly into contention for a Sunday assault in the Persian Gulf as he chases a second DP World Tour victory. 

Rasmus Højgaard posted a bogey-free five under par round of 67 to join Ugo Coussaud and Rikuya Hoshino at the top of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters leaderboard after Saturday's third round.

The trio lead the way on ten under par after moving day at Doha Golf Club, with Japan’s Hoshino carding a three under 69 and Frenchman Coussaud matching the Dane’s five under par effort to share a one stroke advantage.

Four-time DP World Tour winner Højgaard, who is without a bogey since the third hole of his second round, made the turn at two under par and added further gains at the tenth, 12th and 17th holes to set the target at ten under.

He was swiftly joined on that number by European Challenge Tour graduate Coussaud, who mixed two bogeys with seven birdies in the Qatari capital to continue his good form in his maiden season on the Race to Dubai.

The leading pack was completed by Japan’s Hoshino, playing in the final group, as he put the finishing touches to his 69 with a final birdie at the 17th hole to claim a share of the 54-hole lead for the second time in his DP World Tour career.

Everything is still to play for in Doha, with Denmark’s Niklas Nørgaard and McKibbin lurking one stroke back on nine under par alongside 2022 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters champion Ewen Ferguson.

The Scot posted six birdies in the space of eight holes around the turn to post the low round of the day with a 66 and move into contention for his second Mother of Pearl trophy.

English duo Sam Bairstow and Paul Waring share fourth place on eight under par while another past champion, Spain’s Jorge Campillo, is part of the group a shot further back on seven under.

“It was very solid. Started slow on the front nine, it was playing tricky enough," said McKibbin. "To get through the front nine level, which I think I did most days was solid. Gave myself a target on the back nine to go two or three under and thankfully went one better, so overall it was a good day.

“It’s very tricky. Once you get a few opportunities and don’t take them, it’s very easy to make a mistake or hit a decent tee shot that just runs through into the rough. With the greens being firm and windy, you have to stay patient and not try to force it.”