Elvira leads the Dubai Invitational after the third round with McIlroy still in contention

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Nacho Elvira will enter the final day of the Dubai Invitational with a two-shot lead after a 3-under 68 in the third round on Saturday, while Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also remained in contention.

Elvira began the day tied with Lowry and got off to a slow start with six pars and a bogey at the seventh, but birdies at the ninth, 10, 13 and 17 allowed him to walk away with an 8-under total of 205.

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Lowry is tied for second with Marcus Armitage and Dylan Fritelli, who recorded the best round of the day with 65.

McIlroy is one shot back in fifth place after making three birdies on the back nine for a 68.

Elvira’s only previous victories on the European Tour came at the Cazoo Open in 2021 and the Soudal Open in 2024.

The Dubai Invitational is held every two years. Two years ago, Tommy Fleetwood benefited from two huge errors on McIlroy’s back nine to win the tournament after a back-and-forth duel in the final round. Fleetwood was tied for 20th on Saturday.

Next week sees the Dubai Desert Classic, which McIlroy has won four times. He also won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai three times.

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