Yuvraj Sandhu credited his family's military background for instilling the character which helped him make his first cut on the DP World Tour before moving into contention at the 2026 Turkish Airlines Open.
The World Number 454 shot a second successive 71, and a third round under par following his opening 69, to reach five under par at National GC in Belek.
That was just two shots off the overnight lead shared by Mikael Lindberg and Daniel Rodrigues and ensured Sandhu will tee off alongside Marcus Armitage and Fabrizio Zanotti, five groups from the end on Sunday.
"I definitely feel that I've done something to begin with," said the 29-year-old, playing in his 12th DP World Tour event and just his sixth outside his native India.
"Initially there were a lot of nerves coming on the DP World Tour, obviously it's a dream to play this tour.
"Finally under-par rounds coming in back to back, I think that's a lot of work, a lot of mental resilience to be honest, and it's been a ride, you know?"
Sandhu learned the game on courses wherever his father was posted while serving in the Indian army, meaning he shares a similar background to Tour professionals such as Anirban Lahiri, Shubhankar Sharma, Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa.
"Being an army kid, there are so many people from India who've done well on the DP World Tour and PGA," he said.
"Anirban, for example, Jyoti, all these guys are army kids, myself an army kid.
"So of course that grit comes off, it's a bit different - we guys don't take 'no' for an answer, for sure, definitely not quitting, so keep your head down and keep going."
Sandhu had three birdies in his third round - the most eye-catching coming at the 17th, where he went close to holing his approach for an eagle - to offset bogeys at the 15th and 18th.
"I think there's a lot more coming, to be very honest," he said.
"Definitely there were some where I could execute exactly the way I wanted, especially on the back nine yesterday.
"I was actually hoping today as well, just before we got some rain in, nearly holed out on the 17th but then I think I'm also fueled for tomorrow."
