Henrik Stenson retained a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The Swede, who will be crowned European No 1 should he follow through with victory on Sunday, had a quiet start to his third round before picking up four shots in the last five holes to card a 67.
Henrik Stenson remains in pole position in World Tour Championship after round three and has no intention of letting that slip.
Stenson had been caught on 16 under par by Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, who continued to ride a wave of confidence earned by winning in Turkey last week by shooting a 64.
But Stenson - looking to become the first man to win the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai in the same season - edged back in front by getting up and down from the back of the 18th to remain on course for victory.
Ian Poulter, who could still become European No 1 provided Stenson is no better than third, returned a 66 to sit alongside Alejandro Canizares four off the lead, while Miguel Angel Jimenez is on his own on -12 after a second successive 66.
Lee Westwood and Justin Rose lie six shots off the pace after recording rounds of 65 and 68 respectively.
Third round leaderboard
GB&Ire unless stated
-17 H Stenson (Swe)
-16 V Dubuisson (Fra)
-13 I Poulter
-13 A Canizares (Spa)
-12 MA Jimenez (Spa)
-11 L Westwood
-11 J Rose
However, Westwood walked off a disappointed man after he had raced to the turn in 31 shots, before birdieing the 10th and 11th as well.
But he dropped a shot at the 12th and could then only find one more birdie, struggling to make par at the final hole after finding water off the tee.
Rose - along with Graeme McDowell the only players capable of overhauling Stenson in the standings - was going nowhere until he picked up four shots in a homeward 32, similarly Luke Donald was back in the pack until reeling off four successive birdies to finish in 67, a further shot back, alongside Rory McIlroy.
Mark Roe explains why it is so difficult to read the greens out at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
Swede Stenson knows that he has his destiny in his own hands.
"I am trying to avoid all that," the 37-year-old said. "I know I can win the Race to Dubai even if I don't win here, but why not try my hardest to win this tournament? If I do I know that both trophies are coming home with me.
"The guys are going to try their best to attack but if anything it makes me try even harder.
Lee Westwood shot 65 in the third round of the DP World Tour to keep him in contention at the top of the leaderboard.
"They are the ones that need to overtake me so I am trying to stick to my game plan. It's working so far so I don't see any point changing."
Ian Poulter still believes he can overhaul Stenson to win the tournament from four back, although he would need the Swede to drop out of the first-two for him to win the race to Dubai.
"I'm right there. I'm hunting," said Poulter. "If I can get off to a decent start tomorrow, it's going to be a fun back nine. If I play like I did today, 62 is realistic."
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