Gallacher is left puzzled after perfect desert storm in Omega Dubai Classic

It was all smiles from Stephen Gallacher after his round of 63.

Defending champ Stephen Gallacher was left puzzled after a sensational scoring burst in the third round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Following a brilliant score of 63, he now takes a two-shot lead over Rory McIlroy into Sunday’s final 18 holes.

If he wins, he will be the first player to successfully defend the title in the tournament’s 25-year history.

The 39-year-old Scot looked out of contention when he played his first eight holes at Emirates Golf Club in one over par to lie seven shots off the lead.

But the two-time European Tour winner then played the remaining 10 holes in 10 under, following a birdie on the ninth with seven more and an eagle in a brilliant back nine of 28.

Asked to explain the change in fortunes, Gallacher said: “I don’t really know to be honest. It was quite a struggle to start with, especially the first three holes.

“I wasn’t quite right but if you stay patient and keep focused it’s amazing what this game throws up. I hit it stiff on nine and, from then on, just kept hitting it close. And if I hit it to 30ft, I holed it.

“I was just trying to make as many birdies as I could and get a lead because, as I found the last time, it’s easier when you are leading than chasing.”

Gallacher, who was denied a second win of 2013 in a three-man play-off for the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, won by three shots here 12 months ago thanks to more amazing scoring.

A first round of 63 was followed by rounds of 70, 62 and 71, during which he made a total of five eagles, the last coming when he holed a wedge from 110 yards on the 16th in the final round.

McIlroy admitted he expected to win the title for a second time after holding a one-shot lead at halfway but, despite carding a 69, the 24-year-old was far from the brilliant form which saw him shoot an opening 63.

“It was OK,” said McIlroy, who said he wasn’t quite 100% after a bout of food poisoning on Thursday night.

“I didn’t drive the ball particularly well. I’m probably going to work on a few things on the range. I felt I hit a lot of good putts that just didn’t go in.

“It was a tricky day and shooting anything under 70 wasn’t a bad score. Obviously Stephen had a phenomenal round 63 today is really impressive.”

American Brooks Koepka held the lead midway through the back nine until Gallacher’s charge. The 23-year-old dropped shots at the 14th and 15th for a 70 to finish 12 under alongside Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen.

Olesen fired a flawless 65 but rollercoaster round of the day went to England’s Steve Webster whose 64 included nine birdies, an eagle and three bogeys to lie a shot behind.

World No 1 Tiger Woods shot 70 to occupy a share of 37th place with Paul Lawrie, who shot a 72 on five under.