Port Louis (Mauritius) Dec 20, (NationPress) Shubhankar Sharma's third round at the Mauritius Open at the challenging La Réserve Links showcased an exciting scorecard highlighted by two eagles, all while battling fierce winds and sporadic rain.

Sharma's round was a mix of two eagles, four birdies, five pars, and seven bogeys, resulting in a rollercoaster score of 71 after a determined 69 the day before, which secured his place for the weekend.

With a total score of 1-under (74-69-71) after three rounds, Sharma found himself tied for 42nd position but remains hopeful of a strong finish as he adapts to a course he is experiencing for the first time.

The La Réserve Links has consistently tested players, with ever-changing conditions requiring precision, patience, and adaptability.

“This course is magnificent,” Sharma expressed. “It's inherently tough, and when the winds pick up—and rain intermittently falls—it turns into an even greater test. But that's just part of golfing on this stunning island.”

After a challenging start where he encountered three bogeys on par-5s, Sharma began to find his rhythm in the second round, playing the longer holes more wisely with two birdies, a par, and only one bogey. The real breakthrough occurred on Saturday when he took full advantage of scoring chances.

On the par-5 fifth hole, Sharma unleashed a powerful drive followed by an accurate 6-iron, setting up a 15-foot eagle putt which he successfully made. He repeated this on the 12th hole, sinking a 20-footer for his second eagle of the day. A near third eagle attempt on the 15th resulted in a birdie instead, as a 15-foot putt just missed its mark.

“I actually had another eagle opportunity on the 15th,” Sharma remarked, “but it just didn’t drop.”

While moments of brilliance were evident, the course’s unforgiving nature meant that missed fairways and swirling winds severely punished even minor mistakes. However, Sharma's resilience and ability to recover underscored a growing self-assurance—especially significant after a season where he lost his DP World Tour card but fought back through Qualifying School earlier this month.

As he wraps up the year on one of the Tour’s most visually stunning yet demanding courses, Sharma is keen on finishing strong.

“I learn from every round,” he stated. “If I can deliver a solid final day, it will be a great way to conclude the season.”

As Sharma navigated his battles against the elements, the tournament lead remained hotly contested. South Africa’s Casey Jarvis and American Ryan Gerard were tied at 16-under after 54 holes, with France’s Alexander Levy just one shot back at 15-under.

However, with unpredictable conditions continuing, no position seems guaranteed as they head into the final round.

For Sharma, Sunday represents another chance—not only to ascend the leaderboard but also to reinforce the resilience and momentum that have characterized his recent comeback.