Confident Catlin holds the international series in Morocco for the third time in a row

JOHN CATLIN is just one round away from his third Asian Tour victory of the season and his second International Series title after taking the lead in the third round of the $2 million International Series in Morocco today.

The American, who currently leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit and is second in the International Series rankings, shot five under par (68) in the third round, putting him just ahead of New Zealander Ben Campbell at 14 under par.

Campbell, last year’s winner of the Hong Kong Open, also shot a 68 – making it a remarkable 105 holes, five rounds and six holes, bogey-free on the Asian Tour.

Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra also scored a 68 and is one stroke behind on the challenging Red Course of the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in the capital Rabat.

Catlin led the tournament for the first three days and barely made a mistake today. He had a bogey on his first shot, but then made six birdies and narrowly missed an 8-foot eagle putt on the drivable par-4 17th hole.

The 33-year-old Californian said: “I would say I have the game pretty well under control. I would have liked to have started the round a little better, but after that I feel like I played very, very solid golf and built up some good momentum for tomorrow.”

He won the International Series Macau presented by Wynn and the Saudi Open presented by PIF back to back earlier this year and recently had a stellar debut in the LIV Golf League, finishing tied for 24th in Houston and tied for seventh in Nashville. When asked if it was a goal to win the International Series rankings – he currently sits second behind Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz – to secure a spot at LIV Golf next season, he promptly replied: “Oh, 100%!

“You know, that’s definitely a goal of mine, but you’ve got 18 holes to go tomorrow. So I’m going to take it shot by shot, give it everything I’ve got and we’ll see what happens.”

Campbell last dropped a stroke on the 12th hole in March during the second round of the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, and today he sank a series of long par putts to keep a clean sheet.

“I had a good start out there,” said the 32-year-old Kiwi.

“The momentum was great. I struggled a little bit in the middle of the round and had a few chances, but it’s good to be in the mix. I’ve got a few things to sort out before tomorrow, but it’s good to be in the lead.”

Chacarra will join Catlin and Campbell in the final pair tomorrow thanks to birdies on holes 17 and 18, meaning three International Series champions will be eliminated in the final group.

The winner of last year’s St Andrews Bay Championship said: “My goal is to win. Of course everyone wants to win here. There are a lot of good players so it will be tough but I am happy.”

“I haven’t been healthy for the last year, so it’s a great feeling to be able to compete again and feel good about my body. So I’m excited to be playing again. I’m happy again. I’m just going to try to enjoy tomorrow. Hopefully I can sink some putts and have a chance to win again.”

Australian Travis Smyth shot a 70, helped by an eagle on 17, and is now alone in fourth place, three behind Catlin.

The Italian Stefano Mazzoli (67), Pat Perez from the USA (68) and his compatriot Caleb Surratt (68) are each one stroke behind, along with Miguel Tabuena (71) from the Philippines.