Golf: Martin Kaymer the new king of Europe

The 25-year-old will almost certainly have to win the Dubai World Championship for both dreams to come true, but a closing double bogey seven yesterday has left him six shots adrift of Ryder Cup team-mate Ian Poulter with 18 holes remaining.

Seeing his pitch to the 620-yard last roll into the ditch that snakes its way in front of and beside the green was a big blow to Kaymer's hopes of a fifth victory this season.

But with Graeme McDowell, his only remaining money list challenger, down in 30th place and needing a third-place finish at worst to have a chance, that particular race looks over.

Even the Ulsterman feels that way.

"Barring the impossible, Europe's No.1 is not a reality for me any more," he said after a 69 took him to two under par, ten behind Poulter.

"Martin is definitely going to do it unless I shoot 55, which unless one of you boys putts for me isn't going to happen."

Kaymer commented after his 73: "It looks like I have won the Race to Dubai, which was my goal coming here.

"That's nice, but it would be more satisfying if I shoot a low round - between 66 and 63, which I think is possible."

Lee Westwood is the man he is trying to dethrone on the world rankings, but the Worksop golfer still has a chance of making a successful defence of this event after a 71 for nine under and joint fifth place.

Poulter, though, is going for two wins in a row for the first time in his career and history suggests he will be tough to stop. Eight times he has taken a lead into the final day and only once has he not triumphed.

Despite two "silly" bogeys - his first of the week - he recorded a 69 to move to 12 under, two in front of joint-overnight leader Ross Fisher, Italian Francesco Molinari and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee.

Poulter is simply oozing confidence again after his Hong Kong Open success.

He won the World Match Play in Arizona in February, but said: "I think this would be right there behind it, to be honest.

"The Volvo Masters (in 2004) was probably my next biggest, but this has become a bigger event and would mean more.

"My game is as good as it's been - as good as Tucson - and I am in the driving seat. The pins were tucked and it was a game of patience, but the two silly bogeys came on holes that I feel I should have taken advantage of."

McDowell will not let missing out on the Order of Merit detract from a season of incredible highs - the US Open and the Ryder Cup, of course.

"What I've learnt this season is that I'm good enough," he said.

"I know what room I have for improvement, but it was great to see that my best is good enough to compete.

"Two or three years ago the No.1 player in the world seemed untouchable, but I believe if I work hard enough the next few years I could be the best player in the world."

McDowell felt his money list chances had ended when he three-putted the short fourth and then missed birdie chances on the next two greens.

"I was just waiting for the taxi to turn up and take me home at that point," he added.

"The course has not shown me much love. It frustrated me last year and is continuing to frustrate me.

Scot Richie Ramsay was 11 shots off the lead after a third-round 73 took his 54-hole total to 215, the same as Ernie Els and Darren Clarke. Ramsay's countryman, Stephen Gallacher was on 218 with Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Swedes Fredrik Andersson Hed and Johan Edfors.