The world No3 Lee Westwood took the third-round lead at the Dubai Desert Classic with 5-under 67. He took advantage of the weary play of Rory Mcllroy and Thomas Bjorn who were ahead of Westwood at the start of the third round, but caught up after Westwood shoot three birdies in first four holes.   

"I played well. I got off to a good start. I was 3-under par after four [holes]," Westwood said. "The only time I dropped two shots was when I hit two poor drives on 6 into the left rough, got a heavy lie and 8 hit it into the sand on right.

Other than that very solid and gave myself lots of birdie chances." Westwood has received 21 European Tour titles compared to the next three players Cabrera-Bello (70), Stephen Gallacher (68) and Marcel Siem (68) who have a combined three titles. He says he knows how to play with the lead. "Yeah, I know how to play with the lead. What did I win, four times last year?" 

"You get used to knowing what to do - when to press, when not to press, when to be patient. "I've put a lot of preparation in, so I'm entitled to be confident really."