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Day three digest: 2021 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers
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Day three digest: 2021 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers

Everything you need to know from Moving Day at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

Dustin Johnson

Late birdies sent DJ flying, Poults was apoplectic and Horsey drained an absolute monster on day three of the 2021 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

Here is everything you need to know from Saturday in the desert.

Birdie burst puts Johnson in control

Dustin Johnson was making serene progress and led by two before he stuck a three iron into the water at the 13th for a double bogey. Ever the cool customer, the World Number One shook it off and birdied the 17th and 18th to re-establish a two shot lead. "It was a good finish," he said. "I felt like I played really well all day, other than 13, but I didn't think I hit that bad a shot. I pushed it a hair right of the flag but just came up well short of where I thought it would and ended up making six there. Other than that, I drove it well and hit a lot of really good iron shots in there to give myself a lot of good chances at birdie. Didn't hole a whole lot of putts but finishing nicely definitely helped the day out." With a win and a second place finish at this event in the past two years, you'd be brave to bet against DJ on Sunday.

Poulter raging after missed chances

Ian Poulter has long been known for his fiery yet friendly demeanour and the fact he was happy to speak to the media after his third round 67 just confirmed that reputation. The Englishman turned in 31 and added another gain on the tenth but was not happy after playing 11 holes which he described as his best golf. The two bogeys on the way in did nothing to lighten his mood. "It's pretty simple," he said. "I should be 11 under through 11, that might have been probably the best golf I've probably played through 11 holes. I had 11 great opportunities and I only took five of them at that stage. Disgusting is what it is, and I've shot three under par and I'm fuming, like as you can see, I'm furious. It's unbelievable. So it's disappointing. I can't really do more than I'm doing. It's just really annoying. You catch me right after a round of golf and I could smash the living daylight of everything right now." High standards are what give you 12 European Tour wins.

A boost for amateurs everywhere

World Number One, reigning Masters Tournament champion, eight European Tour titles, six World Golf Championships victories - but Johnson is still human and hits poor shots. He follows them with brilliant ones and makes birdie but, still...........

Horsey makes a monster

62 feet over a ridge, that's a tough two putt, right? Not for David Horsey.

The early bird catches..........a cold?

By the end of play on Saturday it once again felt like we were in the desert, with warm and sunny conditions but that has not been the case all week. Rain and storms led to a delay on the second day and the grim weather stuck around as round two was completed. "It was quite tricky this morning," said Stephen Gallacher. "It was raining and cold and the ball wasn't going very far. It's quite tough when you come in in the morning and you have to warm up in the dark and whatnot." Johnson added: "Definitely didn't think we were going to get two days of rain." It could be a historic week, though. When will we next see rain at this event?

Definitely didn't think we were going to get two days of rain - Dustin Johnson

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