Abraham Ancer. Saudi International 2023/Oisin Keniry

Abraham Ancer was pushed all day by Cameron Young, but the Mexican had the final say on the 18th green to pull out a two stroke lead going into the final day of the Saudi International.

The 31-year-old came into Saturday with a solitary stroke advantage over his nearest rival — American Young — and the pair went toe to toe over the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in an enthralling final match of the day.

Ancer, who found himself one stroke down after 10 holes, took advantage of a rare Young error on the testing 13th hole to grab a two-stroke lead.

After Young halved the deficit on 17, but Ancer had the answer yet again on the last with a sensational approach shot to within a foot after Young had overcooked his own shot and had to settle for par.

Ancer’s 64 took him to 17-under, while Young’s 65 has him a little further behind on 15-under.

“That was another very solid round,” Ancer said. “I am happy with no dropped shots. That’s always my goal. On a golf course like this where it’s blowing pretty good, I’m really, really happy.

“I’m not really focused on what everybody else is doing. Just trying to play the same game I’ve been playing the past three days. Back home, I’ve been practising quite bit leading up to Dubai, and I felt really good back home. Then on the way over here, it always takes a little bit of time to get adjusted. But I knew I was in a good spot, and I felt like a couple things were clicking towards the end of the round there.”

Young added: “I think I’ve played really solidly. Obviously Abe’s playing some really nice golf. So I think tomorrow will be fun.”

The third man of the group, Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana, is in a tie for third going into the final round, alongside American Matthew Wolff and Aussie Lucas Herbert on 10-under, seven back from Ancer ahead of what is surely a two-horse race for the title in this Asian Tour flagship event.