Europe's Ryder Cup hero turned in a pedestrian one-under at Yas Links to trail playing partner Tommy Fleetwood – one of five overnight leaders alongside the Offaly man – by three strokes.

But after following a birdie at the 10th with an eagle three off a mishit second at the 10th to close the gap before making another birdie at the short 13th to tie for the lead, he slipped up over the course of a rollercoaster final five holes.

A double bogey six at the 14th, where he drove into the water, was a blow.

But after bouncing back brilliantly with birdies at the next two holes, the 2019 champion failed to get up and down for par at the 205-yard 17th, then made bogey at the par-five 18th after driving into sand and short-siding himself with his third.

A three-under 69 wasn't a disaster, but

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