De Jager joins Atwal at the top

South Africa’s Louis de Jager joined Arjun Atwal at the top of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open leaderboard on Saturday.
De Jager joined the man who led for two rounds, India’s Atwal, on a total of 13-under-par after firing a bogey-free four-under-par 67 at Heritage Golf Club in difficult gusting winds.
Atwal made sure of a place in Sunday's final group with a well-played 68.
The duo are one ahead of the looming threat posed by the in-form South African Dylan Frittelli and Miguel Tibuena of the Philippines.
How we stand with 18 holes to go:
🇮🇳 -13 Atwal
🇿🇦 -13 De Jager
🇿🇦 -12 Frittelli
🇵🇭 -12 TabuenaScores: https://t.co/ExKOnPIsP5 pic.twitter.com/VegTfFFkFs
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) December 2, 2017
“I’m very pleased with my efforts,” said De Jager, who last made a bogey on the 13th hole in the second round. “It was really tough out there today. The wind was very strong and there were some good pin positions, so I’m really pleased with the score.”
With the wind gusting as strongly as it was, the three-time Sunshine Tour winner certainly had cause to be pleased, as Atwal, who set a course-record 62 in the opening round, dropped shots on the fourth and the 18th to let De Jager join him in front of the field.
“It’s always a goal to keep bogeys off the card,” said De Jager. “You know you can hit good shots and still make bogey, so when there are none on the card, it’s really pleasing.
“I felt really composed. I was quite cool and calm out there. I didn’t hit the ball as well as the first two days but my short game really saved me today, and my putter really saved me inside the eight-foot range. I made a few crucial putts that really kept me in the tournament.”
Also still in the mix on 10 under, three shots off the pace, are Portugal's Jose Filipe-Lima, Romain Langasque of France and South African Justin Walters.
Latest
-
PGA Tour
It’s been a battle – Rory McIlroy delighted to pip rival Patrick Reed in Dubai
The Northern Irishman birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish a shot ahead of Reed on 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy holds off rival Patrick Reed with birdie on 18 to seal Dubai win
McIlroy birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy leads by three in bid to win his third Dubai Desert Classic title
England’s Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury are McIlroy’s closest challengers heading into the final round.
-
LPGA Tour
Golf bid to increase diversity in sport improving but still has ‘long way to go’
Nicola Bennett is an ambassador for the Golf Foundation, helping to drive grassroots campaigns.
-
PGA Tour
Richard Bland boasts share of lead at halfway stage in Dubai Desert Classic
The 49-year-old returned to complete his second round on Saturday morning, carding three more birdies and a solitary bogey in his remaining 14 holes.
-
News
On this day in 2009 – Colin Montgomerie appointed Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Scot made eight playing appearances in the competition.
-
News
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed set up potential showdown in Dubai
McIlroy and Reed found themselves a shot behind world number one amateur Ludvig Aberg and Ian Poulter.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy finishes superbly to take share of lead with rival Patrick Reed
The pre-tournament build-up had been dominated by the war of words between Reed and McIlroy.
-
PGA Tour
Patrick Reed makes impressive start after floods cause delay in Dubai
Reed was able to complete 16 holes on a truncated day at Emirates Golf Club.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Aaron Rai shares lead after first round of Farmers Insurance Open
The 27-year-old started on the more forgiving North Course of Torrey Pines.