Nacho Elvira Takes Lead Amidst Challenging Winds At Dubai Invitational

Gusting winds once again took centre stage on Saturday, relentlessly testing a star-studded Dubai Invitational field at Dubai Creek Resort.

However, Spain's Nacho Elvira, the joint leader at the halfway mark on Friday, emerged as the man to beat after carding a composed third-round 68 to reach eight under par, giving him a two-shot advantage heading into the final round of the 2026 DP World Tour season opener.

Elvira leads a high-class chasing pack locked together at six under par, with South Africa's Dylan Frittelli producing the round of the day, a sparkling bogey-free 66 that saw him share second place alongside Ireland's Shane Lowry and England's Marcus Armitage.

Co-leader after two rounds, Elvira delivered another steady performance in challenging conditions. His only blemish came at the seventh hole, but he responded in style with birdies at the ninth, 10th, 13th, and 17th to maintain his grip on the tournament.

Birdies push Frittelli up

Frittelli's charge up the leaderboard was built on a hat-trick of birdies starting at the third hole, followed by further gains at the 11th and the last. Armitage joined him on six under thanks to a superb 21-foot birdie putt at the 18th.

First round co-leader and World Number Two Rory McIlroy (NI) signed for a steady 68, parring his way home to sit in solo fifth at five under par. Denmark's Thorbjørn Olesen and South African Jacques Kruyswijk both returned flawless rounds of 66, joining Spaniard David Puig at four under.

Geoff Wang secured the 2026 Dubai Invitational Team Event crown with a total of 17 under par.

Wang hails Dubai experience

'It's incredible,” Wang said.“I've not spent a lot of time in Dubai, it's only my second time, but to experience this place on this occasion and on this beautiful golf course, the tournament is exceeding well run.”

Reflecting on another testing day, Elvira said post-round,“I'm very pleased. It's been a couple of tricky days with the wind. Today it was blowing maybe a little bit less than yesterday, but still, this course, when it's blowing a little bit, and you are off the fairway, is very difficult to judge and very difficult to hit it close.

“Coming down the back nine, I think I played really decent.”

The 38-year-old Spaniard, a 13-year veteran on tour and a two-time DP World Tour winner, last tasted victory at the 2024 Soudal Open in Belgium.

Elvira wary of chasers

Asked about the strength of the chasing pack, Elvira added,“Some big guys coming up. What can I say? They are great players. I played with Shane today. He's obviously a level above, like we all know.

“But I'm going to try to stick to my game and see where that puts me,” he added.“If that puts me winning, great. If that puts me two behind, then let it be.”

Dubai-based Tommy Fleetwood also impressed, climbing to tied 20th after equalling the best round of the day with a 66 as scoring improved slightly despite the strong breeze.

Final-round tee times will run from 7.15 am to 12.10 pm. For further information, visit .

Round Three Leading Scores (Par 71):
N. Elvira (Spain) 69, 68, 68 – 205
S. Lowry (Ire) 69, 68, 70 – 207
M. Armitage (Eng) 69, 70, 68 – 207
D. Frittelli (RSA) 70, 71, 66 – 207
R. McIlroy (NI) 66, 74, 68 – 208

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