Nolan takes two-shot lead into final round of Abu Dhabi Challenge

Ireland's Liam Nolan will take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Challenge after a bogey-free, seven-under-par 63 at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

The 26-year-old from Galway started the third round in a share of the lead with Finland's Tapio Pulkkanen and Belgium's Matthis Besard.

Seven birdies took him to 16 under par for the week.

Pulkkanen holds solo second after a 65, one shot clear of Italy's Matteo Cristoni and Switzerland's Benjamin Rusch.

Nolan is in his second full HotelPlanner Tour season and is chasing his first professional title. He is looking forward to the nerves that come with it.

"I'm sure there will be some nerves that I haven't felt the first three days but nerves are great," he said.

"I was pretty nervous when I played the Irish Open but it's such a cool and fun experience to be nervous and for shots to matter a little bit more.

"It will be the same gameplan and to stick to what I've been doing, and we will see where we sit at the end of tomorrow."

Nolan has a lot riding on Saturday. He sits 43rd on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, just inside the top 45 who qualify for the season-ending Grand Final in Mallorca at the end of October.

A win in the UAE would lift him to 13th. That would put him inside the promotion places and on course for DP World Tour playing rights in 2027.

Pulkkanen, a two-time HotelPlanner Tour winner, is chasing his second title of the season after winning the Danish Golf Challenge earlier this year.

The final round gets under way at 7:00 AM on Saturday.

Nolan, Pulkkanen and Cristoni make up the final group at 8:50 AM.