Gusting winds continued to dominate the narrative at the Dubai Creek Resort, presenting a formidable challenge for the elite field competing in the DP World Tour’s 2026 season opener. Amidst these testing conditions, Spain’s Nacho Elvira demonstrated remarkable composure, carding a third-round 68 to solidify his position at the top of the leaderboard. His steady performance brings him to eight under par, establishing a two-stroke advantage heading into the tournament’s final day.
Elvira’s round was nearly flawless, with his only setback occurring at the seventh hole. He responded emphatically with birdies on the ninth, tenth, thirteenth, and seventeenth holes, showcasing the mental fortitude that has characterized his play throughout the event. The 38-year-old veteran, whose last victory came at the 2024 Soudal Open, now stands on the precipice of his third DP World Tour title.
The chasing pack features several notable contenders locked at six under par. South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli delivered the day’s most impressive performance with a bogey-free 66, catapulting himself into a tie for second place. He joins Ireland’s Shane Lowry and England’s Marcus Armitage, who secured his position with a spectacular 21-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
World Number Two Rory McIlroy carded a steady 68 to remain in contention at five under par, while Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and South African Jacques Kruyswijk both recorded flawless rounds of 66 to position themselves at four under.
In the team competition, Geoff Wang claimed victory with an impressive 17 under par total. Wang expressed particular admiration for the tournament organization and the Dubai Creek Resort course, noting the exceptional quality of the event.
Reflecting on the challenging conditions, Elvira acknowledged the difficulty of the wind-affected course, particularly when players found themselves off the fairway. He specifically noted the strength of his competitors, including Lowry whom he described as “a level above,” but remained committed to focusing on his own game strategy for the final round.
Dubai-based Tommy Fleetwood made a significant move up the leaderboard, climbing to tied 20th after matching the day’s best score with a 66. Final round tee times are scheduled from 7:15 am to 12:10 pm local time.