Rasmus Højgaard is hoping to use the experience from his maiden victory earlier this season to propel him to a second win in just his tenth European Tour start at the 2020 Oman Open.
The Danish teenager became the third youngest winner in Tour history when he lifted the trophy at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open before Christmas and he is in contention again at Al Mouj Golf.
He dropped three shots in two holes on the sixth and seventh but showed experience beyond his 18 years to card a third round 70 and get into a six way tie for the lead heading into the final 18 holes.
His immense maturity for a man of his age has been a calling card for Højgaard in his rookie season, and he is certain he can handle the pressure of going toe to toe with multiple European Tour winners down the stretch.
"I think it’s important that I’ve already won on the European Tour as there is going to be plenty of stress out there tomorrow," he said. "It’s just about how you can handle it and I think I’ll be prepared for tomorrow.
"It was a grind out there today. I made some mistakes out there but bounced back with some birdies so I’m satisfied with my two under par.
"It was important for me to get those three birdies in a row after dropping three shots on the sixth and seventh. You can make bogeys out here so you just have to deal with it and move on. I had a good run on eight, nine and ten with some long putts but I also had a three putt out there which I’m trying to avoid."
Fellow rookie Sami Valimaki was also at 11 under and while he may be three years Højgaard's senior, he is playing just his sixth European Tour event.
The Qualifying School graduate made eight birdies in a flawless 64 in round three and was delighted with his day's work.
"I hit drives really good," he said. "I missed only one fairway on the last, missed one green and made some really good putts.
"Last year was my first pro year and I played really good. Won four times and made it onto the Challenge Tour before the Q School started. It was all so fast and now I'll just keep pushing.
"I'll just go to dinner, go to bed and start again tomorrow. It's good."
