Casey Jarvis Takes ‘Dream’ Lead into Alfred Dunhill Links Final Round

• Casey Jarvis leads the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at 18-under after three rounds.
• Jarvis shot a bogey-free 65 at the Old Course at St Andrews on Saturday.
• Matthew Jordan and Adrian Meronk share second place, two shots behind Jarvis.

Casey Jarvis will take a two-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after a bogey-free 65 in windy conditions at St Andrews. The South African reached 18-under to put himself in position for a third DP World Tour victory this season.

“Every golfer dreams of taking a lead, playing the Old Course on Sunday. I got goosebumps right now just standing here. I just can’t wait for tomorrow,” said Jarvis. “Even if I don’t win, you know, to be taking the lead, I’m just going to enjoy it as much as I can.”

Jarvis, 23, claimed back-to-back victories in Kenya and South Africa earlier this year, winning the Magical Kenya Open and Investec South African Open Championship. Another win would make him the first player to collect three titles on this season’s DP World Tour.

“I mean, obviously I know I’m going to be feeling pressure tomorrow. I have won twice this year. So I kind of know how to deal with it a little better,” he said. “I still know I’m going to feel first tee nerves and pressure throughout the day.”

Opening Eagle Sets the Pace

Jarvis had taken a one-shot lead on Friday and needed only two shots on Saturday to strengthen his position. Starting at the par-4 10th, he holed his approach for an eagle.

Birdies at the 11th, 13th and 14th took him to 16-under as Jordan also made a fast start at Kingsbarns. Six successive pars followed before Jarvis regained the outright lead with an up-and-down for birdie from out of position at the 3rd.

Jarvis added another birdie at the 5th to move two clear, then kept his card clean with an escape from a pot bunker at the 6th. A birdie putt lipped out at the 7th, and further chances narrowly missed on his final two holes.

“I just felt like I was in control of my game today. I was really solid tee-to-green, and luckily rolled in a couple putts,” he said.

Jordan Chases a St Andrews Return

Matthew Jordan’s 6-under 66 at Kingsbarns left him tied second on 16-under. The Englishman has finished runner-up twice this season and is seeking his first DP World Tour title.

Jordan opened with a 69 at St Andrews before shooting 65 at Carnoustie, five strokes better than his previous best there in this championship. Sunday’s return to the Old Course also brings him back to the venue where he won the 2017 St Andrews Links Trophy, his first major amateur title.

“I want to be in the last few groups and I want to give myself a really good chance, certainly, on Sunday, and yeah, that’s what I’ve done today,” he said. “So let’s see what tomorrow brings.”

Meronk’s Putter Brings Him into Contention

Adrian Meronk matched the lowest round of the day with a 9-under 63 at Kingsbarns, making seven birdies and an eagle. The four-time DP World Tour winner began with four consecutive birdies to join Jordan two shots behind Jarvis.

“Played really nicely. My putter was very hot. I kept rolling the ball nicely and I’m so happy with the round and how the day worked,” said Meronk.

Meronk began his professional career at this championship ten years ago. He now sits 144th on the Race to Dubai Rankings, with his playing status for next season among his priorities.

“Definitely one of my goals for the rest of the season is to keep status for next year. Obviously that’s why I’m playing every single week now, to get those points,” he said. “I felt like I’ve been playing really well the last couple of weeks. Just didn’t get the full results. Hopefully this is the week.”

Thomas Detry is a shot behind Jordan and Meronk at 15-under, followed by Danish pair Niklas Nørgaard and Jacob Skov Olesen at 14-under. Olesen also returned a 63 at Kingsbarns.

Sepp Straka’s 64 was the lowest round at St Andrews and took him to 13-under. Nine players sit at 12-under, including former champions Robert MacIntyre and Matt Fitzpatrick.

The team competition has 21 amateurs through to Sunday’s final round at St Andrews. Meronk and Tom Chaplin share the lead at 31-under with David Law and Will Ahmed.

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