Amateur Christiaan Maas overcame three bogeys on Saturday on his way to a three-under-par 69 in the third round of the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.

The world’s fifth-ranked amateur player also made six birdies in his third round as he climbed the leaderboard into a share of ninth at six-under-par. That put him eight strokes behind the lead, which was held after 54 holes by American Patrick Reed.

Reed moved to a four-stroke lead over Spaniard David Puig with a third round of five-under-par 66. Victor Hovland of Norway and England’s Andy Sullivan shared third on nine-under.

In a share of ninth with Maas, amongst others, were countrymen Jayden Schaper and Henni du Plessis, both of whom had third rounds of one-under-par 71.

Zander Lombard was a furth shot back on five-under after his third round of 69, which closed with an eagle-three on the 18th.

Jacques Kruyswijk and JC Ritchie were in a share of 27th on three-under, together with, amongst others, Rory McIlroy. Casey Jarvis was a shot further back, and Dylan Frittelli was on level-par after 54 holes.