Arjun Atwal of India battled to a three-under-par 68 in swirling wind to tie for the third round lead with Louis De Jager of South Africa at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on Saturday.

Atwal, a former Asian Tour number one, enjoyed a solid front nine 32 before adding his fifth birdie on hole 14. He was ahead by one-shot heading into 18 but missed a four-foot par putt to finish on 13-under-par 200 at the Heritage Golf Club.
 

He said, "I played solid all day except for a blip on the last hole which won’t bother me. It did play harder today. It was definitely blowing harder out of the three days. I played solid all day. The driving was difficult because we had crosswinds on most holes but I drove it on most days pretty good. 18 was the only missed drive but other than that I drove it pretty much where I was looking and I’m very pleased with that. The officials got it right with the green speeds. If it was any faster, the ball would move especially in the gusty conditions. I’m really looking forward to Sunday. With the way I’m playing, I think I have a good shot at it."
 

The 30-year-old De Jager produced a flawless 67, highlighted by two birdies in each half, to charge into contention at the €1million (approximately US$1.07 million) event sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Sunshine Tour.
 

Talented Filipino Miguel Tabuena birdied the closing two holes to stay one-shot back of the leaders following a round of 67. He shared third place with Dylan Frittelli of South Africa who also birdied the last hole for a 68.
 

Atwal, who will captain Team Asia in the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM in 2018, will enter the final 18 holes with huge confidence after retaining his lead which he has held since firing a course record 62 on the opening day.
 

He did not play a practice round this week and is still recovering from a 16-hour journey from Kuala Lumpur. He remains relaxed on the holiday-isle of Mauritius as he searches for a ninth Asian Tour title and his first since 2014.
 

The 23-year-old Tabuena recovered from an opening bogey to return with five birdies and stay in the hunt for a second Asian Tour title.
 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?

• The last time Atwal was in a share of the lead heading into the final round was at the 2014 Dubai Open which he eventually won.
• Out of the eight Asian Tour victories, Atwal has won five when he has led or co-led heading into the final round.
• Atwal birdied the par-five seventh hole for the third straight day. He is also four-under on the par-five 14th hole where he eagled on the first day and birdied in round two and three
• A three putt on the 18th hole led to a disappointing bogey. It was his first three putt in the tournament. He totalled 26 putts today which equalled his total putts in round one.
• In three editions of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, only George Goetzee of South Africa has led after the third round and gone on to win the tournament. 
• Jager is a three-time Sunshine Tour champion. He will play in the final group for the first time in his career in a tri-sanctioned event.
• He is aiming to become the second South African player after Coetzee to win the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
• De Jager said he is inspired to win the tournament after playing in a pro-am with South African legend Gary Player last week.
• Tabuena only used driver on holes two, four, seven, 11, 14 and 17. On most holes other than the par threes, he would drive the ball with a two-iron.
• This is the first time this week where Tabuena has birdied the closing two holes. He has also birdied the par five 14th hole on all three days.

 
Day 2: Arjun Atwal's continues to weave success, stays in the lead at Mauritius Open