Caleb Surratt kept his lead in the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers for the third consecutive day, giving himself a strong chance to redeem last year’s playoff loss.

He shot a three-under-par 68 to finish on 17 under, tied with South African Dean Burmester, who recorded a 64. Josele Ballester of Spain is one stroke back after a 66.

Englishman Richard Bland (64), Adrian Meronk from Poland (68), and American Anthony Kim (69) are next best placed, three shots behind the leaders.

The US$5 million event is the most lucrative of the season on the Asian Tour and the final event of the year on The International Series.

Surratt eyes redemption

Surratt was beaten by Chile’s Joaquin Niemann in a sudden-death playoff last year. He could have won in regulation but made bogey on the final hole after finding water off the tee.

“Yeah, it was good,” said the 21-year-old, who plays for Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team on the LIV Golf League. “I came out of the gates, I really didn’t hit many bad shots early. I hit a few, but not starting off my best. I was very proud of the fight the rest of the day.”

He bogeyed the first and fourth holes before bouncing back with a birdie on the ninth. Four birdies on the back nine restored his confidence and maintained his lead.

“When asked about redemption, he said, ‘Yeah, definitely. It would be nice, but regardless, I’ve done really well to put myself in this position. I fought really hard and worked really hard to get here.’”

Burmester shows power off the tee

Burmester, who plays for Stingers GC on the LIV Golf League and won LIV Golf Chicago in August, was bogey-free with seven birdies, including on the last two holes. The South African is one of the longest hitters, reaching the par-four 18th from the tee.

“I hit one yesterday, so I knew I could get there comfortably,” he said. “It’s about hip mobility and rotation, how you generate speed without overhitting. I learned a lot from a long drive champion in South Africa.”

Rankings leader Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe is tied for seventh after a 67, five shots behind. He is aiming to reclaim the top spot on the International Series Rankings.

Filipino Miguel Tabuena posted a 67 and is one shot back. He is third on the Rankings and needs a top-six finish to secure second place ahead of Japan’s Yosuke Asaji, who missed the cut.

Anthony Kim, Thailand’s Danthai Boonma, and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho remain in contention for LIV Golf League spots but will need a win tomorrow.