England’s Craig Farrelly brilliantly eagled the last at Constance Belle Mare Plage to take the outright lead ahead of the final round on a day of high drama at the MCB Mauritius Legends.
The Yorkshireman drained a 40ft eagle putt on the par-five 18th to complete a second consecutive 66, reach -12 and jump one clear of a stellar chasing pack that includes last week’s victor on the Legends Tour, Darren Fichardt, and proven DP World Tour winners Greg Owen and Jeev Milkha Singh. Two-time defending champion, Peter Baker, sits at -10 after a brilliant 65, with his dream of a hat-trick of MCB Mauritius Legends wins still very much alive.
“I didn’t really feel like I was in it today but coming up the last my caddie talked about giving ourselves a chance, trying to make an eagle, and suddenly we shoot the same score as yesterday which is nice,” said Farrelly, who earned his Legends Tour card at Q-School in January and is battling to retain his playing rights for 2026.
“I’d love to get back out here again next season. I’m meeting guys that I’ve watched on TV when I was young and the next thing I’m playing with them. It’s nice for me to be out here watching these guys and how they hit it. They’ve been around for 20 and 30 years, so they’re not here by chance. Mindset for final day is just the same as today. I can’t control what others do, so I’ll just play the best I can and see what happens.”
While Farrelly has enjoyed a promising season on the Legends Tour, with a couple of top-10 finishes and plenty of encouraging play, Darren Fichardt – who sits just a shot back – is a man in form after claiming the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition last time out.
The South African’s bogey-free 65 on Saturday in Mauritius was a masterclass in control and composure, with a string of precision iron-shots setting up five birdies. By the time he reached 18 he was at -9, and having driven down the left side he unfurled what he described as a ‘stinger 5-wood’ from the rough that bounced up into the heart of the green. He promptly holed the eagle putt from 12ft to reach -11 and book his place in the final group.
Farrelly and Fichardt will be joined by England’s Greg Owen who built on an opening 65 with a hard-fought 68 to also reach -11. The former British Masters champion is still searching for an elusive maiden win on the Legends Tour and as one of the most consistent players this season will surely be a factor as this event reaches its conclusion.
So too Peter Baker, who roared back into contention with a superbly-crafted round of 65. The two-time defending champion made a steady start but then picked up three shots in five holes on the front nine and capped the round with birdies on 17 and 18.
“I played very well today and gave myself loads of chances to score. I’m pleased with the score although it could have been better… but that’s golf. Tomorrow will be just about doing the same thing that’s got me the last two wins and try to hit enough good shots.
“It’s just nice to be up there and it’s just nice to be in with a chance to defend the title tomorrow. It’s exciting. You’ve just got to go and execute, wherever you are in the field, it’s the same thing – you’ve got to get over the finishing line. I’m looking forward to it.”
First-round leader Mark Mouland struggled to make further inroads after a frustrating 71, but is still right there. He sits three back at -9, alongside Ryder Cup player Stephen Gallacher who bogeyed the last hole having hauled himself into contention with some fine play in his round of 66.
A sextet of proven winners lurks at -8, including Steve Webster, Andrew Marshall, Bo Van Pelt, Jyoti Randhawa, Adilson da Silva and Patrik Sjöland.
With playing rights for 2026, entry into the Majors and PGA Tour Champions events, and the title of Barry Lane Rookie of the Year all up for grabs on Sunday, it looks set to be an exciting final day of a memorable season on the Legends Tour.
Play continues on Sunday, visit www.legendstour.com for live scoring.
