Jaco Ahlers came racing through the field on Friday when he carded a six-under-par 65 in the third round of the Asian Tour’s Saudi Open presented by PIF at Riyadh Golf Club to climb inside the top 10.
He climbed to seven-under for the tournament ahead of the final round, but he was a long way behind the leader, John Catlin of the United States, who signed for a third round of nine-under-par 62 to move to 19-under.
In truth, everyone was being left behind by Catlin, who was eight shots clear of Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand. There were four players on 10-under in a share of third, and only three more players ahead of Ahlers after moving day.
Ahlers made three birdies on the front nine, and four on the back nine, dropping just one shot on the sixth. He was in a share of 10th with three other players, including LIV Golf’s Peter Uihlein.
Four other South Africans made the cut. Robin Williams followed two consecutive 69s with a one-over 72 in the third round, and he slipped to a share of 31st on three-under. Neil Schietekat had a level-par 71 to stay at one-under in a share of 43. Justin Harding signed for a one-over 72 and was on one-over in a share of 58th, while Ian Snyman battled to a two-over and was on two-over in a share of 64th.
