Rory McIlroy birdied the first three holes of his final round as he opened up a three shot lead at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The Northern Irish teenager had earlier returned to Emirates Golf Club to complete a third round five under par 67 to maintain his two stroke lead.

The 19 year old grabbed a birdie at the 18th to move onto 17 under par and two clear of in form South African Louis Oosthuizen who had briefly trimmed the advantage to one a hole earlier.

But as the final round got under way McIlroy stormed out of the blocks with three straight birdies before a double bogey six at the fifth saw him slip back to 18 under for the championship after six holes.

Australian Richard Green was the World Number 39’s nearest challenger – the 1997 winner in Dubai was two under for the round and 15 under overall having played seven holes.

Dubai resident Henrik Stenson was a shot further back while English duo Paul Casey and Justin Rose were 13 under.