George Coetzee holds the advantage but Dane Olesen is on his tail

South African George Coetzee will take a one-shot lead into today’s final round of the inaugural AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open following a bogey-free third round of 65 at the Heritage Golf Club.

The two-time European Tour winner, who is the highest-ranked player in the field, made his move with a stunning front nine, pitching in for eagle on the seventh hole, following birdies on the second and fifth holes, before a further gain on the ninth.

He picked up another shot on the 14th hole to move to 11-under-par for the tournament, with compatriot Thomas Aiken (68) and overnight leader Thorbjorn Olesen (70) tied for second place on 10-under.

Coetzee said: “As I walked off the course, I told my manager I don’t know how I’m shooting under par the way I’m playing, but obviously the course must suit my eye pretty well.

“Any way you get to a 65 is okay. I’m pretty happy but I made it difficult for myself on the back nine. But I felt like I hit enough good shots to maybe have some confidence for tomorrow.”

Olesen, who led by one shot at the halfway stage, struggled with his driver throughout the third round but produced three birdies on the back nine, as well as a string of impressive par saves, to remain in contention in his first tournament back after three months out with a hand injury.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat is a further two shots back on eight-under-par following a round of 67, while Scotland’s Andrew McArthur was left to rue a closing double bogey as he signed for a round of 68 to lie four strokes off the pace, in a four-way share of fifth position on seven-under-par.

n BRITONS Charley Hull and Amy Boulden both shot five-under-par 67s to give themselves hope going into the final round of the Ladies’ European Tour Buick Championship in Shanghai.

They share fifth place but are 10 shots behind China’s World No. 5 Shanshan Feng, who shot a third-round three-under-par 69 to extend her lead to seven strokes.