Casey Jarvis said he is realising every golfer's dream by taking a two-shot lead at St Andrews into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as he goes in search of his third win of the season on the DP World Tour.
In windy conditions around The Old Course, St Andrews on Saturday, second-round leader Jarvis extended his lead to two shots over Matthew Jordan and Adrian Meronk with a bogey-free 65 to sit on 18-under-par.
Jarvis, who claimed the Magical Kenya Open presented by Asba and the Investec South African Open Championship earlier this year, said he is keen to enjoy the moment as he attempts to become the first three-time winner this season.
"I'm super pleased," Jarvis said after his round.
"I just felt like I was in control of my game today. I was really solid tee-to-green, and luckily rolled in a couple putts. I didn't find that -- he found the wind pretty tricky on the front nine. I'm not a big fan of left-to-right wind off the tee with driver. So I managed it pretty well, and yeah, super pleased.
"Every golfer dreams of taking a lead, playing the Old Course on Sunday. I got goosebumps right now just standing here. I just can't wait for tomorrow. Even if I don't win, you know, to be taking the lead, I'm just going to enjoy it as much as I can.
"I mean, obviously I know I'm going to be feeling pressure tomorrow. I have won twice this year. So I kind of know how to deal with it a little better. I still know I'm going to feel first tee nerves and pressure throughout the day.
"But I'm just going to try and manage it as much as I can. I'm playing tomorrow with my Am, as well, and it's so nice. We have fun out there, and I think that's going to really help me tomorrow."
Having held a one shot overnight advantage, the South African got off to the perfect start by holing his second shot of the day for an eagle at the par-four 10th.
With Jordan also making his own fast start through his front nine, Jarvis consistently set the target, adding further birdies at 11, 13 and 14 to get to 16-under-par.
With pars at his next six holes, the 23-year-old then regained a one shot lead with a brilliant up and down for birdie from out of position at the third, before extending that lead to two strokes with a birdie at the fifth.
He parred the rest of his way in, producing a great escape from a pot bunker at the sixth, lipping out for birdie at the seventh and narrowly missing chances at both of his final holes.
He sits two shots clear of Matthew Jordan and Adrian Meronk, who posted rounds of 66 and 63 respectively around Kingsbarns.
Jordan, who is searching for his first DP World Tour victory after two runner-ups this season, added a third round 66 to opening 69 at St Andrews and an impressive seven-under 65 at Carnousties, which beat his previous best score on the Angus Links by five strokes.
The 30-year-old claimed his first big amateur title here in 2017, the St Andrews Links Trophy, and will be looking for a full-circle moment on Sunday.
"I want to be in the last few groups and I want to give myself a really good chance, certainly, on Sunday, and yeah, that's what I've done today," he said. "So let's see what tomorrow brings.
"I have a few memories, my dad was an R&A member before I was a pro. I have a few memories of him and my dad playing the Old Course, which was brilliant. So of course the St Andrews Links, I managed to win that one as well, my first big amateur title. It's a place I'm quite fond of."
Read More: Matthew Jordan targeting full circle moment at St Andrews at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Four-time DP World Tour Meronk carded the joint-lowest round of the day at Kingsbarns, which featured seven birdies and an eagle for a nine-under 63.
The Pole, whose started his professional career at this championship ten years ago, creditted his putter as he admitted its been a while since he's been in contention heading into a final round.
"I haven't been here for a while in this position," said Meronk, who currently sits at 144th on the Race to Dubai Ranking presented by DP World.
"Yeah, I got off to a great start today, four birdies in a row. Played really nicely. My putter was very hot. I kept rolling the ball nicely and I'm so happy with the round and how the day worked.
"I can't believe how time flies. You know, how fast it flies. It's already ten years as a professional but it's great to be back here. It's such a unique and great championship. Dunhill is just a great tournament. I'm happy about my spot going into Sunday, and I'm just going to enjoy myself and see what happens.
"Definitely one of my goals for the rest of the season is to keep status for next year. Obviously that's why I'm playing every single week now, to get those points. I felt like I've been playing really well the last couple of weeks. Just didn't get the full results. Hopefully this is the week. But just play my game tomorrow and see what happens at the end."
One behind Jordan and Meronk is Thomas Detry on -15, a shot ahead of Danish pair Niklas Norgaard and Jacob Skov Olesen, who also posted a 63 at Kingsbarns on Saturday.
Sepp Straka's 64 was the lowest round in St Andrews to put him on 13-under, with a pack of nine players on 12-under-par that includes former champions Robert MacIntyre and Matt Fitzpatrick.
In the team competition, 20 teams made the cut for the final round Pro-Am at St Andrews with Meronk and Tom Chaplin leading the way on 31-under alongside David Law and Will Ahmed.
