PARIS, France (AFP) — Marcus Kinhult battled back over the closing nine on Saturday to protect his lead in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Malelane, South Africa.

The 28-year-old Swede started the day with a three-stroke lead but had been caught by the time he reached the turn at Leopard Creek Country Club.

But he was two under on the back nine, finishing with a birdie at the last, for a three-under round of 69 and a two-shot lead over Ryan van Velzen.

“It was a bit more of a grind today,” said Kinhult, who is seeking his first title since the 2019 British Masters.

“The good was very good but I left myself in some tough positions as well and had to grind.”

Van Velzen, a South African, made an eagle and five birdies in a bogey-free 65 to sit alone in second place on 12 under, one clear of Dutchman Darius van Driel in third.

He was briefly joint top of the leader board after he eagled the 13th and behind him Kinhult bogeyed the eighth.

After two birdies, Kinhult bogeyed the 16th to lead by one but hit a bunker shot on the 18th close to the flag for a birdie that gave him a two-shot cushion heading into the final round.

“Sleeping on a lead is not easy, I think. It’s only Saturday so it wasn’t that bad - I actually slept all right last night and hope I will tonight again,” Kinhult said.