Shanshan Feng opened up a five-shot lead on Friday (11th December) ahead of the final round of the Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club.

The Dubai Ladies Masters heads into the final round, and defending champion Shanshan Feng is well-placed to retain her title.

Things weren't going so well for Laura Davies, however.

She endured a torrid penultimate round that saw her slip from two shots off the lead following Thursday's round, to 12 shots adrift of Feng on 3-under.

Davies struggled throughout with just one birdie and six bogeys for a third round of 77.\

By contrast, her compatriot Melissa Reid was enjoying a strong round. This par putt at the 11th seeing her in fourth at 5-under.

And tied with her is Germany's Caroline Masson.

Thailand's Thidapa Suwannapura sits in second - five strokes behind Feng.

She stormed five places up the leaderboard Suwannapura following a round of 65.

That saw her move four shots clear of third-placed Jade Schaeffer who carded a 70 to move up to third on 6-under.

But it looks like there's no catching Feng.

Although she started strongly on Friday with five birdies on the front nine, she ran into some trouble on the back nine with two bogeys.

But despite that, she finished with a birdie for a third round of 67 and a healthy lead over the rest of the field.

The Dubai Ladies Masters trophy is firmly in her sights.