LIV Golf's Patick Reed holds four-shot lead in Hero Dubai Desert Classic

The American, who led by a shot at the halfway stage in the $9 million Rolex Series event, was overtaken early on in the third round at Emirates Golf Club after starting with a bogey and seeing Francesco Molinari burst out the blocks with three birdies in a row.

However, Reed recovered to mix seven birdies with one bogey in the remainder of his round, signing for a 67 to sit on 14-under-par as he bids to go one better than finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy in this tournament three years ago.

“You're always excited showing up on Sunday with a lead,” admitted Reed of his strong position. “I feel like that's what all of us live for as players, competitors, to have a chance to win on Sundays and play late on Sundays and just battle out with all the guys.

“I know it's not going to be easy, it never is, and it doesn't matter how big of a lead you have. Looking forward to tomorrow and just hopefully go out there and keep doing what I'm doing, putting well and hitting fairways and greens.”

The 35-year-old is bidding to land a fourth DP World Tour title, though this would be his first outside the US and Mexico after his previous wins on the circuit came in The Masters and two World Golf Championships.

“It was definitely a solid day and a good score at the end,” he said of his day’s work. There early in the round, I just didn't really settle. Even after the birdies on two and three, ithe swing didn't feel 100 per cent, but I was missing it where I need to and just relying on my putter to work.

‘Swing was really solid and I had it locked in’

“It clicked when I hit a really good drive on eight. From that point on, I felt like the swing was really solid and I had it locked in, and I was able to take advantage of the par 5s.”

Reed, who has fellow LIV Golf player David Puig leading the chase, works these days with Claude Harmon, who was based at Kings Acre on the outskirts of Edinburgh, early in his coaching career.

“I think the biggest thing right now is the driving,” he said of the facet that is pleasing him most at the moment. “I feel like I'm driving the ball a little better right now.”

Spaniard Puig, one of LIV Golf’s young guns, stepped up his bid to land a second win on the circuit with a seven-birdie salvo to sign for a 66. “Ty to be as aggressive as I can and hopefully make a bunch of birdies,” he said of trying to hunt down the leader.

Viktor Hovland, the 2022 winner, carded a joint-best-of-the-day 64 to sit on nine under alongside Andy Sullivan, but record four-time winner Rory McIlroy trails Reed by 11 shots after missing a tiddler for par in his 71.

Ewen Ferguson, who offset a bogey-bogey start by finishing birdie-birdie in signing for a 71, is the leading Scot on four under, with Grant Forrest and Richie Ramsay on par and one over respectively after matching 73s.