Scrivener, third overnight, and danger man Lee both shifted direction the wrong way on Saturday's moving day, as their disappointing over-par rounds left them in joint-12th position, seven shots behind the New Zealand leader Hillier on the difficult, blustery Majlis course.
It will take a monumental effort to drag themselves into the mix in the iconic European tour event, but for world No.223 Hillier, opportunity really knocks as he holds a one-stroke advantage over Britain's Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton going in to the final round.
Jason Scrivener is seven off the pace going into the final round. (AP PHOTO)
"It would be life-changing," said the 26-year-old Hillier, who hails from Porirua, as he pondered the prospect of winning the prestigious title and the first prize of $US1.53 million ($A2.46 m).
"Last year was pretty tough. It was a bit of a grind. I was getting pretty frustrated with myself, so gave myself a little bit of a break and time to reset, and I'm feeling refreshed. Yeah, excited for tomorrow."
Hillier, whose only European tour win came at the British Masters in July 2023, hasn't had a top-10 finish since the Spanish Open 15 months ago but put himself on pole in Dubai by birdieing the final two holes to finish on a two-under 70 and a 13-under total for the week.
How it stands with 18 holes to play 📊— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) #HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/NXKDd1Kip1January 18, 2025
He had led by three at one stage on Saturday but slipped on the run-in, which left superstar Rory McIlroy still believing he's a chance of a third straight title.
"I'd need to go out and shoot 63 tomorrow," said McIlroy, who shot 69 and is, like the two Australians, seven adrift.Â
"If the conditions are right, I've been able to do that before, especially if you can make a score on the front nine before that score-able back nine."
The Australians will need to get off to a quick start too, with Lee certainly capable of that as he showed by birdieing six of his first seven holes, starting from the 10th tee, in Friday's second round.
He couldn't find the same magic on Saturday, except for one dazzling approach from the desert at the side of the fifth fairway when he faded the ball past a palm tree and almost holed from 148 yards. He ended up with a one-over 73.Â
Tag someone who hits the tree 👀 — DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) https://t.co/AdMaVN6dUk pic.twitter.com/5eTxJfO5cOJanuary 18, 2025
Scrivener also slipped back after only being able to eke out a single birdie at the par-five final hole in his 74.
Adam Scott made a belated move to finish a shot behind his compatriots on five under after going round in 69, but there was disappointment for the joint leader after the first round, Melbourne's David Micheluzzi, whose 75 leaves him out the equation at three under.Â
LIV Golfer Hatton looks the big danger to Hillier after his 68, but admitted he "needs some putts to drop" if he is to overhaul the New Zealander, whose compatriot Ryan Fox was also still in the hunt in joint-fourth at nine under, just a shot behind overnight leader Ewen Ferguson (73) who slipped to third on 10 under.
