Patrick Reed and Carlos Ortiz will enter the final round of the International Series Macau tied at 16-under, setting up an intense battle for the title at Macau Golf and Country Club.

Reed, who has led since the opening round, carded a 3-under-par 67 on Saturday, while Ortiz posted a 66 to catch him. They hold a three-shot lead over Germany’s Dominic Foos and American Jason Kokrak, who both shot 65.

Momentum swings as Ortiz catches Reed

Reed seemed in control early, holding a four-shot lead after six holes. However, a crucial three-shot swing on the seventh allowed Ortiz to close the gap. While Reed bogeyed, Ortiz chipped in for an eagle, cutting the lead to one at the turn.

Ortiz pulled even with a birdie on the 10th, but Reed reclaimed the lead with a birdie on the 13th. The back-and-forth battle continued, with both players dropping shots on the 14th before Reed bogeyed the penultimate hole, leaving them tied heading into Sunday.

“It was kind of sloppy, I missed a lot of putts,” Reed admitted. “My three bogeys were two three-putts, and I putted a ball off the green on 14. I just need to hit it closer and make the putts.”

Final-round stakes and Open Championship berths

Reed, who won the Hong Kong Open last November for his first Asian Tour and International Series title, is eyeing his 11th professional victory since turning pro in 2011. Meanwhile, Ortiz is looking to claim his second win on the tour after capturing the International Series Oman title last year.

With the Open Qualifying Series in play, the top three finishers will earn spots in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Foos, a Qualifying School graduate, surged into contention with a back-nine charge, posting five birdies in the final seven holes.

“It’s playing very tricky,” Foos said. “Most putts, you just want to get them to the hole or around it because anything past is straight downhill.”

Other contenders and course conditions

Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent sit at 10-under after shooting 69s, while Nick Voke of New Zealand fired a tournament-low 64 to move into a crowded group at 9-under.

Defending champion John Catlin is out of contention after posting a 68, leaving him tied for 38th at 4-under.

The US$2 million event is the second stop on the International Series, part of the Asian Tour’s pathway to the LIV Golf League.

Final round expectations

Reed and Ortiz have proven they can handle the pressure, but with a stacked leaderboard and the added stakes of Open Championship berths, Sunday’s final round promises an exciting finish.

Reed summed up his approach: “Just go out there, hit quality golf shots, and trust the process.”

Ortiz added: “Definitely need to shoot as low as possible tomorrow.”

With both players locked in, the final round will determine who claims the International Series Macau title and secures a coveted spot in The Open Championship.