Reed 'staying in the present' after battling to maintain history bid in Dubai

The 2018 Masters champion is aiming to become the first American to win the lucrative Race to Dubai on the European Tour.

Entering round three with a two-shot lead after a glorious 64 on Friday, Reed carded a more modest one-under 71 to share top spot with Matthew Fitzpatrick and Laurie Canter.

Reed needed a birdie at the last to do so having earlier recovered from patchy play to hole out of the bunker at the 15th.

The possibility to enter the record books is not lost on Reed, who is refusing to get ahead of himself on what promises to be a thrilling Sunday with 14 players within five shots of the lead.

“I’m trying not to really think about that, honestly,” Reed said.

“If it happens, it would be unbelievable. It was always a goal of mine obviously to win golf tournaments but to win this one and also to win the Race to Dubai and be the first American would be amazing.

“We still have a full 18 holes left and you can’t really sit back there and think as much about that as just stay in the present and try to play some good golf tomorrow.”

Fitzpatrick and Canter shot scores of 69 and 68 respectively to join Reed atop the leaderboard, while their English compatriot Lee Westwood is among four players just one stroke back.

Veteran Westwood will be Race to Dubai champion if he wins at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The 47-year-old won this tournament in 2009 and has finished as European number one twice previously.