SCOTTISH pair Richie Ramsay were involved in a three-way tie for the lead with France's Romain Wattel in the Hassan Trophy at Golf du Palais Royal in Morocco while South Africa's George Coetzee staged a superb fightback to keep his hopes of qualifying for the Masters alive.

Ramsay, who had missed the cut in four of his five events this season and withdrew from the other after the third round due to illness, said: "I'm pleased to be in the hunt. I'm a fraction frustrated as I played some great stuff out there.

"I hit a lot of shots down the target line and nearly holed some iron shots out there, but I just couldn't hole any putts. I got a couple of bobbles. I'm giving myself opportunities and sooner or later I'm going to hole some. I've not holed many this week, so I'm due some tomorrow."

Coetzee needs to win in Agadir to book a trip to Augusta National for the year's first major championship in a fortnight's time, but found himself six shots off the lead after a front nine of 39 yesterday.

However, the South African carded five birdies and one bogey on the back nine to card a 71 and finish six under par, which proved enough to lie just one shot off the lead as the leaders stumbled on the closing stretch.

Ramsay, McArthur and Wattel share the lead on seven under, with Coetzee part of a seven-strong group which includes former champion David Horsey, Ireland's Kevin Phelan and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo.

Coetzee, who won the Tshwane Open on his home course in Pretoria a fortnight ago, told European Tour radio: "I am quite happy. I'm quite surprised the guys haven't gone lower.

"I've been battling away the last couple of days but happy to be in the mix. I made some silly errors, mental errors, but I feel like I am still in a good space so (I'm) happy with the comeback today and hopefully (it) puts me in good stead for tomorrow.

"I've got a bit of mental game plan going at the moment and when you make mistakes you focus on doing the mental stuff correct and it kind of takes care of itself.

"The big change came yesterday on the fifth. I hit it left and was going to hack it when my caddie said there's three par fives on the back nine, let's take our punishment, take a drop and work from there. That kept reminding me about the back nine so it always keeps you in a good frame of mind."

England's Tommy Fleetwood also needs to win on Sunday to qualify for the Masters, but is five shots off the lead after struggling to a 73 which included a triple-bogey eight on the fifth.

Just four shots separates the top 29 players and Coetzee added: "There are so many guys in the mix you can't say that you can control it. You just have to go out and play well."

McArthur and Wattel both carded rounds of 67 to move through the field on Saturday, with Ramsay starting the day in a share of the lead but having to settle for a 71 containing five birdies and four bogeys, the last of which on the 18th cost him the outright lead.

"It felt pretty good, it just sort of crept up on me," said McArthur, who is making just his third European Tour start of the season. "I am delighted.

"I have accepted I am not striking it as I want to but I have found something to get it in play and try and get it pin high, hole a few putts and you never know.

"I played well in Joburg (finishing joint 18th), moved myself up a lot on the last day. I putted well so hopefully that continues tomorrow."