Both players made birdies on the final hole to end the third day on 13 under. They will have their work cut out for them with 20 players breathing down their necks for the top spot, among those is six-time major champion Rory McIlroy. 

The Irishman is just two shots off the lead and will attempt to win a record-equaling eighth Race to Dubai title.

Celli and Elvira are one stroke ahead of Major champion JJ Spaun, Spaniard Alejandro del Rey and American Johannes Veerman. McIlroy finished birdie-eagle to get to eleven under alongside Scott, American Davis Bryant, Chilean Joaquin Niemann and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan.

Celli is only playing his second full season on Tour but is relishing Sunday’s challenge. “I can’t wait, honestly, because it’s going to be very good. I will try to be in the present, you know, and try to enjoy every single minute and see what happens.”

Filippo Celli. Photo: X/DP World Tour

Elvira, brother of three-time DP World Tour winner Nacho, is playing his third season on Tour and is equally ready to step up and claim the title.

“I think I’m ready.  I’ve been playing well the last few weeks. Obviously the results were not really coming my way, but I just managed to stay patient this week and just have fun,” he said.

Schaper

The leader overnight, Ryan Gerard, dropped four shots on the front nine en route to a 75. American Spaun carded a 68 with five birdies and a single bogey while McIlroy signed for a 69, Bryant and Niemann recorded rounds of 67, and Scott went round in 71.

In the South African camp, Jayden Schaper will start on seven under on Sunday morning in joint 26th place after rounds of 70, 70 and 69. Yurav Premlall ended Day 3 on four under while Shaun Norris finished on three under.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg