18 years after winning the Qatar Masters, Darren Fichardt is one round away from claiming a second title in Doha.
The South African will take a one-shot lead into Sunday’s final round at the Education City Golf Club, following a composed third round on Saturday.
Fichardt started moving day in T2 and two shots off the pace, but battled his way to a decent third-round one under par in some testing, windy conditions.
Two birdies on the final three holes was enough for Fichardt to hit the front on seven under par, signing off with a round of 70.
READ: Fichardt in T2 at halfway stage of Qatar Masters
The 45-year-old will, however, face a stern challenge on Sunday if he were to claim a sixth European Tour title. England’s Jack Senior concluded the third round on six under par and in second place, with India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar on five under.
Antoine Rozner, Jamie Donaldson and Joachim B Hansen are all a further stroke back on four under, while Compleat Golfer playing editor Brandon Stone is in T7, four shots behind Fichardt.
Stone enjoyed a solid start to his third round but suffered two bogeys on the back nine which halted his efforts on the day.
18 holes to play in Qatar ?#QatarMasters
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Shaun Norris is on one under after a third-round 71, while Garrick Higgo shot a disappointing six over par on Saturday to slump to one over for the event.
Justin Walters and Louis de Jager are both two over par ahead of the final round, with Hennie du Plessis three over and Wilco Nienaber four.
