Steady 69 keeps Lahiri in the mix, eight back ahead of final round in Riyadh

Anirban Lahiri followed his sparkling 63 on Friday with a fluctuating 1-under 69 in the third round of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, placing him T-21 at 9-under 204, eight shots behind co-leaders Caleb Surratt and Dean Burmester.

Starting the day with momentum from his season-best round, Lahiri briefly moved inside the top 10 after birdies on 8 and 9, but three bogeys—on 6, 12 and 14—stalled his charge. He closed with a birdie on the 18th for the third straight day to salvage a red figure.

“It promised a lot early,” Lahiri admitted, “but I couldn’t quite keep the momentum going. Still, I’m playing well enough to post a low one tomorrow.”

Surratt and Burmester share the lead

For the third straight day, 21-year-old American Caleb Surratt held at least a share of the lead, posting a steady 68 to reach 17-under, where he was joined by South Africa’s Dean Burmester, who surged with a bogey-free 64.

Surratt—runner-up here last year after a playoff loss to Joaquin Niemann—has a chance to rewrite that memory on Sunday.

“Some of the hardest rounds are the ones after you’ve played great,” Surratt said. “I didn’t have my best stuff, but I fought hard. Almost no matter what happens tomorrow, this week already feels like a win.”

Burmester, who reached the drivable par-4 18th from the tee, credited recent long-drive insights for the extra power.

“I learned a few things about speed and rotation last week,” he said. “Pretty cool to put that to use today.”

Stacked leaderboard behind them

Spain’s Josele Ballester sits one back after a 66, while Richard Bland (64), Adrian Meronk (68) and Anthony Kim (69) are three off the lead.

Kim, continuing his steady return to competitive form, described his day simply:
“My wife told me, ‘Fewer bogeys than birdies,’ and I followed the instructions.”

High stakes in The International Series

The event doubles as the final stop on The International Series, with two LIV Golf League spots on the line.

• Scott Vincent, the current No. 1, shot his third straight 67 and is in strong position to finish atop the standings.
• Miguel Tabuena, in third, posted a 67 and needs a top-six finish on Sunday to overtake Japan’s Yosuke Asaji, who missed the cut.

Vincent, already a past International Series champion, said:
“Just trying not to make it bigger than it needs to be. Enjoy the moment and play my game.”

With Surratt hunting redemption, Burmester seeking another marquee win, Lahiri eyeing one more low round, and LIV Golf opportunities on the line, Sunday in Riyadh promises a dramatic finish.

Photo – Asian Tour