South Africa’s Casandra Alexander was in solo third place on 14-under-par after a round of four-under-par 68  on Friday in the Ladies European Tour’s PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh.

The South African who won for the first time on the tour last season began with back-to-back birdies on her first two holes at Riyadh Golf Club and then made her next birdie on 12. Her only dropped shot of the day came on 14 before back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to secure her place in the final group for the final round.

Hye-Jin Choi and Rio Takeda sit at the top of the leaderboard on 15-under-par with one round left. Korea’s Choi had a flawless round three as she rolled in birdies on the second, fourth, fifth, eighth, 12th, 13th and 15th holes. World number 14 Takeda of Japan fired a round of 66 for the second consecutive day to also join Choi at the top of the leaderboard. The two-time LPGA Tour winner made an eagle on the 12th alongside five birdies with her only dropped shot of the day coming at the last.

“I hit the ball much better than the previous two days; unfortunately, the putter wasn’t behaving as well, and I could only make one putt out there today,” said Alexander. “Hopefully, I have saved them all for tomorrow.

“I always love a challenge, if you look at my history with the majors it’s my favourite thing. I’m excited, I will probably meet some new girls out there tomorrow who have slightly different game play to what I have. I am going to do the same thing, try to keep it tidy and hopefully that putter behaves.”

Seven players were in a share of fourth place with American Alison Lee, Singapore’s Shannon Tan, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Korea’s Ina Yoon and Japanese trio Akie Iwai, Chizzy Iwai and Nasa Hataoka all on 13-under-par.