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Germany's Martin Kaymer is on the verge of winning a fourth Abu Dhabi Championship title, having opened a six-shot lead after three rounds.

The US Open champion had seven birdies in his first 13 holes during a bogey-free round of 65 to reach 20 under.

Belgium's Thomas Pieters is second after a two-under-par 70.

World number one Rory McIlroy, only two behind overnight, saw a series of putts stay up and only two birdies in a 71 left him tied for fifth on 12 under.

McIlroy, yet to add the Abu Dhabi tournament to his comprehensive list of titles, has been runner-up three times in the last four years, but his chances of victory were hampered by taking 34 putts on day three.

"I hit the ball as well as I did yesterday, gave myself so many chances and didn't convert any really. Very wasteful and looking like I am playing for second tomorrow," said a disconsolate McIlroy, who had a hole-in-one in round two.

Kaymer has now gone 42 holes without dropping a shot and on the rare occasion when he did find trouble he produced a superb escape on the 10th hole.

The world number 12's second shot went left and lodged in a bush, but having taken a drop and then found a bunker with his fourth, he holed out from the sand for a remarkable par five.

"The main goal was to still lead the golf tournament, it was a little bit of an up and down round so therefore a 65 is a great score," said Kaymer, who eclipsed Paul Casey's record total for the third round by one shot.

Asked whether he was focused on his own tournament record of he said: "I'm not really thinking about the record but a good score will hopefully mean I will win."

Shot of the year winner Jamie Donaldson, the 2013 champion, had seven birdies and an eagle in his 65 and the Welshman shares sixth place on 11 under.