Patrick Reed extends lead heading into final round of Dubai Desert Classic

The American held a narrow overnight lead at nine under, but he was soon in a battle for supremacy with Francesco Molinari on the front nine.

Molinari, who led after 18 holes, opened with three straight birdies to reach double figures before Reed hit back with three birdies and two bogeys on his first seven holes to join him at ten under.

Once Reed finished his front nine with a birdie to get his nose in front, he did not look back as he picked up three further shots and climbed to 14 under at Emirates Golf Club.

Spaniard David Puig surged into solo second following a birdie-birdie finish in a stunning 66 to reach ten under, with 2022 champion Viktor Hovland one shot further back.

"You're always excited showing up on Sunday with a lead," Reed said.

"It's what we live for as players, and as competitors, is to have a chance on Sundays, and play late on Sundays, and battle it out with the guys.

"I know it's not going to be easy, it never is, it doesn't matter how big of a lead you have, but I can't wait for it and looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully go out there, keep doing what I'm doing, plugging along, hitting fairways and making some greens."

Reed, who was flawless in his 66 on Friday, dropped a shot at the opening hole and slipped to eight under alongside Molinari, who birdied the first, and playing partner Andy Sullivan.

He bounced back with birdies at the second and third, but he could not shake off Molinari's fast start.

The 2018 Masters winner bogeyed the sixth to sit one behind the leading Italian, and he was joined by Puig, who had a hat-trick of birdies from the second before further gains at the ninth and tenth.