David Ravetto will take a two-shot lead into the final day of the Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt Golf Estate after he posted a two under par round of 71 on The Links.
The Frenchman made a slow start to his third round with a bogey at the first, however he bounced back with three birdies at the fourth, fifth and ninth to make the turn at two under for the day. A level par back nine meant the 26-year-old finished the day on 12 under par, two ahead of South African Franklin Manchest in second place.
Ravetto, still searching for a maiden victory on the Challenge Tour, was pleased with his course management on The Links – statistically the toughest of the three courses at Fancourt Golf Estate.
“I’m happy with my work today,” he said. “I’m trying to get back in the rhythm of playing competitive golf and for me to get to 12 under par today proves that I’m hitting a lot of good golf shots which is a great sign.
“I’m putting the ball nicely and I’m in a good place heading into the final round. I think two under par was a good score on The Links.
“I know The Links is the toughest of the three courses and the pins were in tricky places today. I had to hit good zones on the green and be patient but luckily, I was able to hole some long putts.”
The Dimension Data Pro-Am is contested over Fancourt’s three courses – Montagu, Outeniqua and The Links – and Ravetto is enjoying the challenge that each course presents.
“I’m loving the challenge of playing three different courses this week,” he said. “Outeniqua was probably the easiest of the three, Montague is a bit of a mix and The Links is very difficult so it was important to hang in there.
“It’s my second time here at Fancourt and I’m loving the experience. The conditions are perfect and the ball rolls so true on the greens. I couldn’t ask for much more.
“I’m trying not to think about the result tomorrow. If I can play my own game and focus on hitting good shots and good putts then I think I should be in a strong position at the end of the tournament.”
His compatriots Benjamin Hebert and Pierre Pineau share third place with England’s Sam Hutsby on nine under par, while seven players are a shot further back in sixth including South Africans Zander Lombard and Louis Albertse.
Meanwhile Conor Purcell struggled to a three-over 76 at the Fancourt Links course to fall to three-under and a share of 35th place.
The Portmarnock man lies alongside Mark Power who carded a fine round of 68 at the Outeniqua course to ease into the final round cut.
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