Amazing Grace, how sweet a round: South African prepares for dual challenge in Riyadh

Branden Grace has given himself an outside chance of glory after an impressive eight-under 63 on day three put him on track for a dual challenge on the final day of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Riyadh Golf Club.

The South African Stinger GC star finished in the drop zone of the LIV Golf League after a poor year by his standards. After finishing second and ninth in the first two seasons, he slipped to 51st this year after a disappointing string of results.

Sitting 38th in The International Series Rankings, he has the chance to bounce straight back with 1000 points going to the winner this week. He will also have a second bite at the cherry next week at the LIV Golf Promotions event, where he received a first-round bye and enters the innovative event in the second of the four rounds.

Grace is certainly showing the right form. After his flawless third round, he has only dropped three shots in three days and has given himself some great chances: converting five out of his eight birdies from inside four feet.

That is a continuation of the form that earned him a T19 and T13 at events on The International Series in Thailand and Qatar - just at the right time with the LIV Golf Promotions event looming next week at the same course.

Grace, six back on T20 going into the final day, said: "I've played really nicely. Working on the right stuff. The hardest part about this game is staying patient. I feel like the game is coming on, the putting's coming on, the driving's coming on, everything has improved.

"I think the scores show it as well. I think I have played six events now with not a score over par in any of those rounds. Everything is there. The solidness is there. The confidence is growing. That's what we need to get up there in these events."

With one golden ticket onto LIV Golf up for grabs next week, Grace is hoping to capitalise. He said: "Listen, I'm here to play golf. I am here to win a golf tournament. I feel good. The confidence is growing. Everything is heading in the right direction. Hopefully I can play the same as I played today, and that will take care of business.

"Otherwise, I'm back here next week trying to do exactly the same. I am here because I did not have a good year, so that is all on me. Now it's about putting your head down and playing golf."

Grace, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour and a 15-time winner overall, has been part of the all-South African Stinger GC team since the start at LIV Golf, and he is determined to win his way back onto the roster alongside Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Dean Burmester.

He said: "First, obviously it's great to be part of a team. We grew up being part of a team, whether it was rugby, golf, cricket, whatever sport it is. Being from South Africa, that is how you grow up.

"So now it's nice to be part of a team. I want to be back in that team. We have got such a great team. We have played well. It showed over the past three years. That is where we want to be.

“I know the guys out there are supporting me. They have got my back 100 per cent. Now it's about me getting my team right with my caddie, my family, the coaches, and just doing what I can do to get back there."