When even the world No1 admits he is playing for second place, it is easy to identify another likely Martin Kaymer procession. Kaymer has previous for this kind of thing. His wire-to-wire success at the US Open was one of the finest performances of last year. He has started the new one with a 20 under par aggregate through 54 holes at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Kaymer's lead is a surely insurmountable six strokes, in a tournament he has claimed three times. In 2008, for what marked the German's first European Tour victory, he led from start to finish here. A repeat seems inevitable, with Kaymer also in position to break his own tournament record of 24 under par. That, at least, will provide a cause for final-day interest.
Kaymer admitted he had a bit of a guilty conscience after taking time away from the game during the festive season, spending it with family and on the ski slopes. He is, routinely, one of the most dedicated players. He is also one of the best, with the success of last year catapulting him up to 12th in the world rankings. As a former No1, Kaymer has the talent to make this another memorable season.
Kaymer's highlight came after a spot of trouble on the par five 10th. After finding trouble behind a tree, he was in a greenside bunker in four; promptly holing from there to prevent any damage being done. Eight holes later, he was to sign for a 65.
Any hope of Rory McIlroy placing meaningful pressure on Kaymer all-but vanished. The world No1 is eight behind and he cut an unusually dejected figure after his 71, during which he passed up chance after chance on the greens. There is little wrong with the rest of McIlroy's game, which only seemed to add to his frustration. "I am very disappointed," he said. "I didn't putt well. I didn't putt well yesterday either, to be honest. From tee to green, I've never felt more comfortable.
"I'm driving the ball great. I think I missed two fairways and one green today. So that is very good. It's just a matter of capitalising on the chances that you give yourself and I didn't do that today. I was very wasteful and it looks like I am playing for second place tomorrow.
For McIlroy to finish runner-up, he must upstage Thomas Pieters, Bernd Wiesberger and Alexander Levy. Pieters is the closest to Kaymer, with Wiesberger and Levy a shot worse off.
One of the stars of Europe's last Ryder Cup win, Jamie Donaldson, blasted back to form with a third-round 65. Rickie Fowler could manage no better than 73, which rather leaves him making up the numbers at one under par.