Shane Lowry has moved into position to win the Abu Dhabi Championship for a second time.

That unexpectedly includes his fellow countryman and major champion Padraig Harrington.

The 2019 winner Lowry scored 6-under 66 on Saturday to equal for the lead at 13-under par with Francesco Molinari and Min Woo Lee.

The 51-year-old Harrington, who shot 64, was one of 12 players who were within three shots of the joint leaders.

When he holed out from the fairway on the par-4 sixth hole, Lowry, who started the day three strokes behind the lead, made an eagle. He made one bogey and five birdies in total.

The 35-year-old Irishman added, "First tournament of the year, you never know what's going to happen."

"My strategy is to try to give myself as many opportunities to succeed as I can, and perhaps it will happen at some point.

I've got an opportunity to accomplish something exceptional tomorrow, so hopefully I can bring the same game I've had the past few days and make a few putts, but you never know.

In his round of 66, Australian Lee made seven birdies and one bogey, with his near hole-in-one attempt at the fourth hole serving as the highlight.