DUBAI, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Briton Danny Willett shot a sparkling third-round 65 to lead the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday and Rory McIlroy stayed in contention to retain his title with a late surge.
The world number two conjured up six birdies over the closing holes to finish on eight under par, eight strokes behind Willett and seven adrift of Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
Briton Andy Sullivan was a shot back in third, one ahead of Dutchman Joost Luiten.
Willett, runner-up to McIlroy in last season's Race to Dubai, fired a second successive 65 at Emirates Golf Club to move to 16 under par, sinking a superb 30-foot eagle putt at the 13th.