Calum Hill feels 'in control' after drama in Bahrain - but another Scot and Masters champions in the mix

On a dramatic day at Royal Golf Club, Hill’s four-shot overnight lead turned into a two-shot deficit at the turn after he went out in two over while playing partner Freddy Schott covered the same stretch in four under.

However, Hill, who’d stormed to the top of the leaderboard on the back of a career-best 61 in Friday’s second round, regained his position at the head of affairs after coming home in two under thanks to back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th whereas Schott was back in two over.

In signing for a par-72 to sit on 16 under, Hill ended the day with a two-shot lead over the German, with Masters champions Patrick Reed and Sergio Garcia two shots further back along with Grant Forrest.

“I’d have liked a bit better than level par at the start of the day, but I’m obviously very happy where I am,” said Hill, who is chasing a third DP World Tour win. “I know the lead has diminished a bit, but I didn’t want to beat myself. Now I’ve got back to par, it’s not the end of the world. Today’s work was decent.”

In his first outing since leaving LIV Golf, Reed stepped up his bid to make it back-to-back wins following his victory last Sunday in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic by carding a joint-best-of-the-day 66.

Garcia, meanwhile, is chasing his first DP World Tour victory as a LIV Golf player after posting a 66, one less than Forrest, who signed for six birdies in his bid to back up a win on Scottish soil last year in the Nexo Championship.

‘I’m in control of what happens tomorrow’

It’s Hill, though, who is in pole position and the 31-year-old is “excited” to be out in front. “Today was a great experience,” said the Kirkcaldy-born player. “It’s been a while since I’ve been at the top of the leaderboard and especially leading going into the weekend. I’m happy with how I kept my composure.

“I’m going into Sunday with a two-shot lead. I’m in control of what happens tomorrow and, if I play half decent, then I’ll give myself a good chance and that’s all you can ask for.”