Three atop Trophee Hassan II Entering Sunday


Two Scots - Andrew McArthur and Richie Ramsay - and a Frenchman, Romain Wattel, are tied for the 54-hole lead at the Trophee Hassan II. The European Tour event is taking place at Golf du Palais Royal in Agadir, Morocco.

McArthur and Wattel each carded 5-under 67s, while Ramsay, who began the third round sharing first with Australian Richard Green, Welshman Oliver Farr and Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello, posted a 71. The trio head into Sunday at 7-under 209.

After recording four birdies and three bogeys through 12 holes, Wattel surged at the end with three more birdies and an eagle on the par-5 17th to rise up the leaderboard.

"It was a thrilling back nine," Wattel told the European Tour's website. "It is always nice to finish the round like that. I was 2-under quite quickly then I had a few mistakes. I had a good putt on 12 for bogey and that was the key today.

"After this putt I still have confidence even if it was only for bogey. You have to be patient here and on the good side every time," added the 24-year-old, who hasn't won since 2010 on the Challenge Tour.

"I'm desperate for a win. I can't control what the other guys will shoot so I just concentrate on my own game. We will see tomorrow. When you start a tournament you want to win but all the guys want the same, you can only play your best."

The 35-year-old McArthur previous win came last year, also on the Challenge Tour. He had five birdies, an eagle on the par-5 15th, and two bogeys. His last dropped shot came on the par-4 18th; otherwise, he could have gone into Sunday with the outright lead.

"It felt pretty good, it just sort of crept up on me," said McArthur. "I am delighted. I have accepted I am not striking it as I want to but I have found something to get it in play and try and get it pin high, hole a few putts and you never know.

"I played well in Joburg (finishing tied for 18th in the South African tournament), moved myself up a lot on the last day. I putted well so hopefully that continues tomorrow."

The final round promises to be a shootout as seven players lurk just one stroke behind the leaders. The group includes Emiliano Grillo, Soren Kjeldsen, David Horsey, Jaco van Zyl, Kevin Phelan, George Coetzee and Richard Bland.

Cabrera-Bello and Farr each shot 74s to drop into a tie for 13th at 212.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015022/leaderboard/index.html.