ST ANDREWS — Casey Jarvis will take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after a seven-under 65 over the Old Course at St Andrews left him at 18 under. The South African, who held a one-shot overnight advantage, sits clear of England's Matthew Jordan and Poland's Adrian Meronk heading into Sunday.
Jarvis started on the par-four 10th and opened with an eagle from 103 yards, adding three more birdies before the turn despite windy conditions and two more on the back nine at the third and fifth. "I just felt like I was in control of my game today. I was really solid tee-to-green, and luckily rolled in a couple putts," Jarvis said. "Every golfer dreams of taking a lead, playing the Old Course on Sunday. I got goosebumps right now just standing here. I just can't wait for tomorrow. Even if I don't win, to be taking the lead, I am just going to enjoy it as much as I can." He added: "Obviously I know I am going to be feeling pressure tomorrow. I have won twice this year, so I kind of know how to deal with it a little better. I still know I am going to feel first tee nerves and pressure throughout the day, but I am just going to try and manage it as much as I can." Jarvis is aiming to close out a third DP World Tour win this season.
Jordan, a Royal Liverpool member seeking his first DP World Tour win in his 183rd tournament, carded a bogey-free 66 at Kingsbarns to reach 16 under. The 2017 St Andrews Links Trophy winner as an amateur opened the week with a 69 at St Andrews and a seven-under 65 at Carnoustie. "I want to be in the last few groups and I want to give myself a really good chance on Sunday," Jordan said. "That's what I have done today, so let's see what tomorrow brings." Meronk matched the joint-best round of the day with a nine-under 63 at Kingsbarns to join Jordan at 16 under.
Belgium's Thomas Detry is at 15 under after a seven-under round at St Andrews. Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen also shot a nine-under 63 at Kingsbarns and sits four shots off the lead alongside compatriot Niklas Norgaard, who posted a 67 on the Old Course. Jose Luis Ballester holed a 130-foot putt on the par-five fifth at St Andrews during a four-under round to share eighth at 12 under with Scotland's Calum Hill — whose 65 at Kingsbarns included two bogeys, a double bogey and an eagle — Matt Fitzpatrick, who made six under on the Old Course, and defending champion Bob MacIntyre, who shot 68 at St Andrews after recovering from a double-bogey at the second.