Rory McIlroy managed only a level par 72 on Saturday and co leader, Thomas Bjorn suffered greater woes when he went in the water on the last. - and with three bogeys in his last four holes - he signed for a 73.
It leaves Lee Westwood with a one-shot lead going into the final 18 holes of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after carding a five-under-par 67 in the third round at Emirates Golf Club.
The 38-year-old Englishman sits on 15-under-par at the head of a packed leaderboard in the Middle East, where 11 players are separated by just three shots.
The world number three, who teed off in a tie for seventh, made three birdies in his opening four holes as he swept into top spot.
Westwood, who is yet to drop a shot on the back nine all week, drained three birdies in four holes after the turn and finished off with five straight pars to secure a narrow advantage.
He is seeking a third title in his last six starts, having left fields for dead in South Africa and Thailand at the end of last year.
"It's not like I've forgotten how to win," Westwood told Sky Sports. "I've won 30-odd times, so I'm used to knowing what to do when I'm leading.
"I played nicely again. I got off to a good start with three birdies in the first four, hit a lot of quality iron shots and rolled the ball well on the green."
McIlroy, Bjorn falter
His nearest challengers are Rafael Cabrera-Bello (70), Stephen Gallacher (68) and Marcel Siem (68) on 14 under, but it was a difficult day for world number two Rory McIlory - the joint overnight leader - who struggled to a level-par 72.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman is still only two shots behind Westwood after carding three bogeys on the back nine to slip into a tie for fourth.
"It was pretty ragged to say the least," said McIlroy. "Conditions were a little tougher - the wind was up and that put me off a little bit.
"The greens got firmer and the pin positions were a little tougher. I'll go to the range and try to iron it out.
"I just had to try to hang in there and stay as close to the lead as I could. To be only two back is a bonus - I feel it could have been worse.
"Two shots over 18 holes is nothing. I still feel in a pretty positive frame of mind and the windier it is tomorrow the better. It will make it a tough battle."
McIlroy's co-leader through 36 holes, Thomas Bjorn, also had a disappointing day at the office, posting a 73 that included three bogeys in the final four holes.
However, McIlroy and Bjorn remain in contention as does world number four Martin Kaymer, who fired a tidy 70 that featured 14 pars.
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