Third round leader Joaquin Niemann (Chile) was in action at Riyadh Golf Club during the $5 million PIF Saudi International on the Asian Tour.

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann secured a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, finishing one stroke ahead of Americans Peter Uihlein and Caleb Surratt after the third round of the $5 million PIF Saudi International, powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, at Riyadh Golf Club on the Asian Tour. Niemann, who has been frustrated by his inability to win over the past three weeks due to some disappointing final rounds, will have an opportunity to rectify that on Saturday after shooting a six-under-par 65 to lead the way at 17-under. Uihlein, the current leader in The International Series Rankings, returned a 66, while Surratt set a course record with a 61, highlighted by eight birdies and an eagle.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton (66), and American duo Jason Kokrak (66) and Logan McAllister (67) are a stroke further back, in the season-finale on the Asian Tour and The International Series. Adam Bresnu (Morocco), a 20-year-old amateur, is tied 11th at 12 under par after rounds of 66, 68, and 67.

Niemann, who was joint first-round leader with Uihlein and Australian Cam Smith, started with back-to-back birdies but then struggled, unlike Surratt, who surged to the top of the leaderboard. Niemann made his only bogey of the day on the ninth hole but bounced back with birdies on 12 and 13, an eagle on 15, and a closing birdie. “After that start, I thought it was going to be one of those days,” said Niemann, who tied for fifth in the Australian Open last week and was equal seventh in the DP World Tour Championship the week before.

Caleb Surratt, 20, fired a stunning 10-under-par 61 to set a new course record at the PIF Saudi International as he chases his first professional win. “I made that bogey on nine, which really kind of frustrated me a little bit more knowing that I was kind of staying behind the leader,” added Niemann. “After that, I knew there's a good stretch where you can go low. I did that the first two days too.”

Uihlein, the winner of last week’s International Series - Qatar, continues to be well-placed to win the rankings but will need another strong round to fend off his nearest challengers with 1,000 points going to the winner. Niemann, Surratt, and New Zealander Ben Campbell, who shot 64 today and is four back, are the closest to toppling him at the moment.

When asked about Saturday, Uihlein said: “It just depends on the weather. I haven't seen what the wind is forecasted for tomorrow (Saturday), but you can go really, really low out here if there's no wind. I’ll just do the same. Make a bunch of birdies, and try to sink some putts. That's about it.”

Surratt has finished equal third and tied second in his only two appearances on the Asian Tour, both this year, and has a chance to win tomorrow after a spectacular round today made up of an eagle and eight birdies. “It was pretty stellar,” said the 20-year-old rookie, who plays for Legion XIII in the LIV Golf League. “I played really nicely. I might have misspoken stellar there. Played great, made a bunch of putts. I haven't been making very many putts the last two days, but I've been hitting it really solid.”

Defending champion Abraham Ancer from Mexico is 10 under after a 67 while American John Catlin, who was crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit champion last week, came in with a 70 and is out of the running on six under. Thailand’s amateur star Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat, on a break from Stanford University studies, shone with a 64, moving up to 12 under, five off top spot and tied for a top amateur spot with Morocco’s Adam Bresnu who has had rounds of 66, 68, and 67.

The first tee time for the final round tomorrow (Saturday) is at 6.57 am with the leaders out last in threes at 11.20 am (Riyadh local time). The final group features Peter Uihlein, Caleb Surratt, and Joaquin Niemann. The $5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers takes place from 4th – 7th December at Riyadh Golf Club.

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