England's Robert Rock has moved to the summit of the leaderboard on day three of the Dubai Irish Open at Lahinch. 

The 2009 runner-up came close to achieving just the second ever 59 in European Tour history but was left to settle for a 10-under round of 60 to move to 13-under-par.

Rock narrowly missed a 30-foot putt for eagle on the par-five 18th at the close of a round which contained 11 birdies.

His playing partner Grant Forrest went around in 65 and Rock says that helped his momentum around the county Clare course.

"It was a fun day, I was enjoying playing with Grant. He played really well and that helped me see that there were birdies to be made and then I started putting really well.

"The finish was a bit much really, I holed a really long putt on 17 and it was only when I was walking to the second shot on 18 and checked the par (of the course) that I realised it was an eagle for 59.

"It's disappointing not to make it but 60 is a great score and I've played rubbish so far this season so it's nice to play better. It's a good opportunity to get my season back on track, qualify for the Open and maybe win a tournament again which would be lovely, because it's been a long while."

Cormac Sharvin heads up the home challenge, the Down man is nine-under-par after a second-round 66.

Waterford's Robin Dawson will be seven-under into the final day, Shane Lowry is two-under after three rounds with Seamus Power and Padraig Harrington both one-under.