Saturday 31 October 2015 19:41, UK
Jaco Van Zyl retained his position out in front at the Turkish Airlines Open, but saw his lead cut to two strokes on a day where Rory McIlory was one of a number of players making a move up the leaderboard.
Van Zyl enjoyed a three-shot overnight lead after a brilliant opening 61 at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal and extended his advantage to seven strokes with five birdies in his first 10 holes after another day of low scoring.
However, the 36-year-old then found water off the tee on the par-five fourth to card his first bogey of the week, before dropping another stroke after finding the hazard again at the short par-three eighth to close a three-under 69 and set the clubhouse target at 14 under.
Chris Wood moved within two of the South African thanks to a second successive 66, with Richard Bland joining an all-English tie for second after lighting up the leaderboard with seven birdies in a back-nine 28.
"I got off to a nice start today," Van Zyl told Sky Sports 4. "I felt really comfortable out there and played nicely, but unfortunately had a couple of loose shots on the back nine.
"It [Thursday] was one of those rounds where I pretty much hit every target and the putter was nice and warm.
"It's always good fun [to be leading a tournament]. It's what we practice for, to be out there in these positions, so it's nice to be able to enjoy it."
But it was Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy who made arguably the most noticeable move up the leaderboard, breaking into the top ten and within four strokes of the lead thanks to a blemish-free 66.
McIlroy birdied the first and picked up another at the fourth when his pulled drive appeared water-bound until it came off a tree, before carding a hat-trick of gains along the back nine and saving par after taking a drop at the last.
Victor Dubuisson's bogey-free 64 lifted the Frenchman alongside Fabrizio Zanotti in tied-third, with Alexander Levy finishing with back-to-back gains to join McIlroy a further stroke back.
Lee Westwood, whose opening 64 was his lowest score for 14 months, failed to replicate his round as he carded a one-under 71 to join Graeme McDowell on nine under, with British Masters champion Matt Fitzpatrick a further stroke back thanks to a round-of-the-day 63.
"I gave myself plenty of chances yesterday but just holed nothing," Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports 4. "I think it was 34 putts yesterday or something. I've not counted what I've had today, but it was miles better obviously.
"I've been enjoying my golf a little more. I've been fairly consistent over the past few months.
"To be there [so high up the Race to Dubai] after the first year of the European Tour is something I never expected, so I'm exceeding my expectations and just looking to keep climbing up."
Watch the Turkish Airlines Open throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
