Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood close in on Waring after 54 holes in Abu Dhabi

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European Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are within striking distance of the lead after 54 holes at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. 

Lowry hit a 6-under par 66 at Yas Links on Saturday to reach 15-under and move within three shots of England's Paul Waring.

Waring went backwards in round three, carding with a 1-over 73 only 24 hours after breaking the course record. 

Lowry's only blemish in the third round came at the par-3 17th when his tee shot found the front trap and he failed to get up and down. 

He told reporters that he has changed irons recently and is also using a new driver.

"I'm happy with my score," Lowry said after hitting five birdies and an eagle on Saturday morning in the sweltering heat.   

"It doesn't seem like the leaders are going that far away."

He added: "I've been driving the ball really good. My iron play has been great. 

"You know, I probably haven't been holing as many putts as I would like.

"I feel like I'm putting all right, hitting good putts, not missing the shorter ones. 

"And I feel like, yeah, [if] a few putts drop [tomorrow], I can be dangerous."

McIlroy goes the wrong way

Rory McIlroy is chasing a record sixth Harry Vardon trophy. 

The Northern Irishman was 5-under for his round when he reached the 18th. 

He struck his tee shot into the water and subsequently made a double-bogey. 

The late mistake meant he tumbled down the leaderboard into a tie for 13th. 

Despite the poor finish, he reckons he can still have a chance tomorrow. 

"I bogeyed the first today and doubled the last but in between, there was some really good golf, same as yesterday," he said. 

"I just need to put it all together and play the way I've been playing and keep the big mistakes and big numbers off my card and if I can do that and post a score, you never know."

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