• Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Round Three

Grace enjoying the Midas touch

Branden Grace hits a tee shot © Getty Images

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Leaderboard

Branden Grace will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday, as the South African searches for his fourth - and most significant - European Tour victory over the season.

Grace reached 20-under for the tournament after a fine round of 69 at Carnoustie on Saturday, increasing his hopes of getting another win - having won three times on the European Tour before May and clinching a title on South Africa's Sunshine Tour last weekend.

That was enough to put him comfortably clear of nearest challenger Thorbjorn Olesen, who could only manage a four-under par round of 68 at Kingsbarns as he attempted to play catch-up.

"I just don't really know what's going on," Grace said. "I love the feeling of winning and I know that's what I want. I'm still just running with it.

"Where I was a year ago crosses my mind a bit. People remind me of it and I really have to sit down and think of what I've achieved and how fortunate I am to be in this position in my career."

Fredrik Andersson Hed is a shot further back at 15-under, narrowly clear of Stephen Gallacher - who won this event back in 2004.

A victory for one of the big names in the field this week looks unlikely, with Open champion Ernie Els the best placed of the bunch at eight-under. Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer are two shots behind, with Peter Hanson and Charl Schwartzel both at five-under.

In the pro-am portion of the event, Grace's form is not enough for him to lead - with the 24-year-old and playing partner Gaynor Rupert 23-under for the tournament and just inside the top ten.

Thongchai Jaidee and partner Hugh Connerty Jr remain out infront at 33-under, with Alex Noren (also in contention in the individual event) their nearest challengers at 28-under.

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