South Africa’s Casey Jarvis and American Ryan Gerard will head into Sunday’s final round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open tied for the lead and each chasing a goal that will bring a sweet end to their year.
Related: Jarvis leads into weekend of AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open
The duo head this field on 16 under par, one stroke clear of France’s Alexander Levy and two clear of the in-form Jayden Schaper from South Africa.
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Jarvis has led or shared the lead from the first round and kept his place with a 68 on Saturday. Gerard surged through the field with a 63 that featured a back nine of 30.
The young South African came into this event having won twice in three tournaments on the Sunshine Tour, and now feeling confident enough to challenge for a maiden DP World Tour title.
“I love it. I’ve won two events on the Sunshine Tour and that gives me confidence for this final round. I’m really looking forward to it, and to being in the final group on the DP World Tour for a change. It’s going to be fun,” he said.
Alongside him, Gerard is also relishing the final-round battle to come.
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“I made the most of an opportunity to go and get it today. I’m looking forward to the challenge. My caddie, JP, said we’re coming here to have fun but not just to whack it around – we’re coming here with intent,” said Gerard, whose goal is firmly on a win that should carry him into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking before the end of the year and secure him a Masters invite for next year.
“That’s the reason I flew a long way to come here and hopefully punch a ticket to The Masters. That’s the goal. Competing in pressure situations are the most fun you can have as a professional golfer. I’m someone who loves competing and hates losing. If I win I’m sure I’ll have a chance to go and play at Augusta National come April.”
But Gerard rightly pointed out a quality group of players near the top of the leaderboard and a golf course where anything can still happen in the final round as elements to be cautious of.
Levy is one of those players just one shot behind them and playing some of the best golf of his career while loving every minute of it.
And Schaper’s win in last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship has opened the floodgates on his own confidence going into the final round just two shots adrift.
“You want to be in the mix on the final day. I just had so much fun out there and it was nice to make a move up the leaderboard,” he said.
