The heat is on: Rory McIlroy is just two shots off the lead

European number one Lee Westwood promised to take an aggressive approach in the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic after claiming a share of the lead yesterday.

The world number four dropped just one shot in a four-under-par 68 to join Spanish duo Alvaro Quiros and Miguel Angel Jimenez and Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee in a four-way tie at 11 under par. A frustrated Westwood was one over after six holes of his third round but fought back and had a chance to snatch the outright lead at the last but missed a long eagle putt.

"Any time I'm in contention that gets me buzzing and excited," said Westwood. "I'll play aggressively, I won't do anything stupid, but I'll shoot at the flags that need to be shot at. If I keep playing the way I am and get off to a quick start I'm going to have a chance coming down the last nine holes."

Defending champion Rory McIlroy heads the chasing pack after a 69, with Marcus Fraser (70) and Challenge Tour number one Edoardo Molinari (70) on eight under and Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer lurking a further shot adrift after a bogey-free 68.

Last week in Qatar Westwood headed into the final round just one shot adrift but was left frustrated with a new driver and was forced to settle for third. But a week later the 36-year-old is much more confident of success after blazing a flawless seven-under-par 65 on Friday, his best score in 50 rounds at Emirates Golf Club.

"It will be a bit of a birdie-fest if it stays like this," he added. "Hopefully there will be a bit of wind, but all I'm going to do is try and do what I did at the Dubai World Championship and go out and shoot the lowest score of the final day."

Overnight leader Jaidee missed a string of chances on the back nine after briefly establishing a four-shot lead and was forced to settle for a 69. "I am not disappointed I am not in the lead outright. I will just play my own game," said the 40-year-old former paratrooper. "I have a good chance, but it is very close."

Quiros finished with back-to-back birdies to card the joint lowest score of the day with a flawless 67. "It is going to be very tough to win with the players at the top of the leaderboard, it's not only in my hands. I want to shoot 10 under, but someone could shoot 11 under," said the big-hitting 27-year-old.

Jimenez, who began the day a shot adrift of Jaidee alongside Westwood, picked up four shots over his final eight holes to sign for a four-under-par 68 following a sublime display of iron play. "I kept my concentration and focused on what I was hitting well and waited for the birdies to come," he said. "And that puts me in contention with all of these young guys."

Italian amateur Matteo Manassero continued to flourish with a 71 pushing the 16-year-old British amateur champion to four under, with 60-year-old eight-time major winner Tom Watson two shots further back.

Third round scores

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72)

205 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67 68, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66 69, Lee Westwood 72 65 68, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69 67 207 Rory McIlroy 68 70 69 208 Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70 70, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 68 70 209 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70 68 210 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72 70, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 70 71 69, Graeme McDowell 72 68 70, Paul Casey 69 71 70 211 Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74 69, Stephen Gallacher 73 71 67 212 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69 70, Ross Fisher 70 72 70, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 73 70, Metteo Manassero (Ita) 69 72 71 213 James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67 71, Gareth Maybin 73 68 72, Paul Waring 74 72 67, Oliver Wilson 72 74 67, Darren Clarke 71 70 72, David Lynn 72 71 70, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71 70, Robert Rock 70 74 69, Stephen Dodd 68 69 76, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73 69

Other Irish scores

217 Damien McGrane 73 73 71