Staff WriterIf you like your Sundays with a little bit of sun, a little bit of swagger and a lot of scoreboard tension, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has done you a proper favour.
South Africa’s Casey Jarvis and American Ryan Gerard will head into the final round tied for the lead on 16-under par, both eyeing the kind of finish that turns a good year into a memorable one.
Behind them, the chasing pack is close enough to smell it. France’s Alexander Levy sits one shot back, with South Africa’s Jayden Schaper—fresh off a win last week—two behind and looking like a man who’s recently remembered golf is supposed to be fun.
Jarvis has been the steady drumbeat all week, leading or sharing the lead since day one and keeping his hands on the wheel with a 68 on Saturday. There’s a calmness about it—like the lad’s been here before—even though the bigger prize on this stage would be a maiden DP World Tour title. He arrived in Mauritius carrying momentum from home, having won twice in three Sunshine Tour starts, and he’s talking like someone who fancies another.
“I love it. I’ve won two events on the Sunshine Tour and that gives me confidence for this final round. I’m really looking forward to it, and to being in the final group on the DP World Tour for a change. It’s going to be fun,” he said.
Gerard, meanwhile, has taken the more theatrical route to the summit—storming through the field with a 63 that featured a back-nine of 30. That’s the sort of number that makes a leaderboard sit up straight and start paying attention. He also sounds like a man on a mission, one that stretches well beyond this island and into the springtime theatre of Augusta.
“I made the most of an opportunity to go and get it today. I’m looking forward to the challenge. My caddie, JP, said we’re coming here to have fun but not just to whack it around – we’re coming here with intent,” said Gerard, whose goal is firmly on a win that should carry him into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking before the end of the year and secure him a Masters invite for next year.
The ambition is not subtle, and frankly, it shouldn’t be. Golf’s a sport that rewards clarity—the target, the shot, the moment. Gerard has all three in mind.
“That’s the reason I flew a long way to come here and hopefully punch a ticket to The Masters. That’s the goal. Competing in pressure situations are the most fun you can have as a professional golfer. I’m someone who loves competing and hates losing. If I win I’m sure I’ll have a chance to go and play at Augusta National come April.”
Of course, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open hasn’t exactly been handing out guarantees with the trophy. Gerard himself flagged the reality: there are too many quality players within touching distance, and the course has enough moving parts that a good front nine can quickly become an uncomfortable afternoon.
That brings us to Levy, who is one shot behind and apparently enjoying a purple patch that’s arrived with a smile. One swing on Sunday and he’s right there, asking awkward questions of the leaders.
And then there’s Schaper—two shots back, brimming with the confidence that only a recent win can provide. Winning can do that: it opens doors in the mind that used to be locked, and suddenly every pin looks a shade wider.
“You want to be in the mix on the final day. I just had so much fun out there and it was nice to make a move up the leaderboard,” he said.
So, what’s left? A final round where Jarvis tries to stay composed, Gerard tries to turn intent into reality, and the pursuers try to crash the party with a low one early.
It’s the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open—and Sunday has the look of a proper scrap, the kind that doesn’t ask for your attention; it takes it.
