Charl Schwartzel is on course for back-to-back victories on home soil following a flawless third round of 64 at the Joburg Open.
South African on course for back-to-back victories
South African Charl Schwartzel is on course for back-to-back victories on home soil following a flawless third round of 64 at the Joburg Open on Saturday.
It means the 25-year-old, who won the Africa Open in East London last week, will now take a four-shot lead over the field into Sunday's final round at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
Schwartzel stands on 18-under-par and his nearest challenger is Darren Clarke who maintained his hopes of victory with a solid 67.
Clarke is two clear of little-known South African Hendrik Buhrmann in third, while four more home players, Alex Haindl, James Kamte, Otto Hennie and Jaco Van Zyl, share fourth with England's Danny Willett on 11-under.
Willett, a team-mate of Rory McIlroy at the 2007 Walker Cup, led after a fast start, but double-bogeyed the 12th and 15th to put a big dent in his hopes of a first professional win.
The 22-year-old fought back and two birdies in his last three holes repaired some of the damage, but he now looks to need a miracle to reel in Schwartzel who has eased seven clear of him.
Willett's woes were nothing compared to those of compatriot and overnight leader David Lynn, though, who stumbled to a nightmare four-over 75 that included four bogeys and a double at the par-four 13th.
Lynn now finds himself tied for 20th on eight-under and seemingly out of contention.
Formidable task
But it will be a formidable task for any player to now overhaul in-form Schwartzel who produced a stunning back nine to earn himself a commanding advantage.
The South African did not have things all his own way in the early stages of the day, indeed, there were a dizzying 21 changes at the top of the leaderboard before he seized control.
While a rain delay of more than two hours appeared to upset the rhythm of many of his rivals, the European Tour money-list leader had three birdies in four holes from the 12th as he moved up a gear.
Putts of four, 20 and 15 feet took him three clear, before he rolled home a 30-footer on the 17th and two-putted the par-five last to complete a five-under inward nine of just 30 strokes.
The last player to win back-to-back European Tour titles was German Martin Kaymer at the French and Scottish Opens last July, but Schwartzel is now a red-hot favourite to follow in his footsteps.
Clarke endured an eventful front nine with three birdies and two bogeys, but he was rather more solid on the way home with seven pars and two more birdies ensuring he emerged as Schwartzel's main contender.
