Jarvis will start the fourth and final day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with a two-shot lead. The 23-year-old Jarvis shot a seven-under-par 65 on the Old Course to move to the front of the pack. Matthew Jordan from England and Adrian Meronk from Poland are hot on his heels.

The leaderboard. Photo: Facebook/Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

“Every golfer dreams of taking a lead into a Sunday’s play at the Old Course, and I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it,” said Jarvis. “I know the pressure will be there; it’s just about managing it. But I’m looking forward to walking these fairways in the lead, and I’m just going to give it my all.”

Jarvis began his round on day three with a spectacular eagle on his opening hole, the par four 10th. He then added five birdies in a superb exhibition of Links golf that took him to 18 under par for the tournament.

Matt Fitzpatrick birdied the 18th hole at the Old Course to cling on to his dream of winning a second Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The 2022 US Open champion, who came into the tournament on the back of victory in last week’s Open de France in Paris, shot a third-round 66 to stay within six shots of leader Jarvis.

“I played great and holed some putts,” said Fitzpatrick. “There were lots of flags in the centre of the greens, and you could be aggressive, so it was just a case of trying to keep pushing and try to go as low as possible. If the weather tomorrow is a bit up and down and you throw in a low one, then you never know what can happen.”

Fitzpatrick is one of nine players on 12 under par, including another South African, JC Ritchie. Compatriot Hennie du Plessis is on 11 under, as well as MJ Daffue.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg