Schwartzel takes one shot lead at South African Open
Johannesburg (AFP) - Joint leader overnight and pre-tournament favourite Charl Schwartzel moved into a one shot lead at the South African Open on Saturday after a three under 69 put the Johannesburg native in control heading into the final round.
The 2011 Masters champion drained five birdies against two bogeys on a clear, breezy day at the par-72 Glendower club layout at Ekurhuleni to lead Italian Marco Crespi (70) and Denmark's Morten Orum Madsen (69) with 18 holes to play.
The tournament marks the first event in the 2014 Race to Dubai and remains close to the heart of Schwartzel who has never won his home Open.
"It was a bit up and down but I think I did what I needed to do. You always think some things could have been better," the 29-year-old, former world number six told the sport's official website, europeantour.com.
"I had a chance to separate myself from the field a little bit at 12, 13, two birdie opportunities, but the greens are starting to speed up and, like I said yesterday, there are a few bumpy spots around the holes ... 69 overall is a good round," added Schwartzel who is chasing a 12th professional win and ninth on the European Tour.
"Every time I hit a good shot it seemed like my straightforward ones were (then) a bit iffy. Like I said, it was a bit up and down; there were some bad swings and a few good ones but it?s now all done," continued the man who became the third South African after Gary Player and Trevor Immelman to win the Masters with his two shot victory at Augusta in 2011.
"I?ve won the Dunhill and one or two others here in South Africa. The South African Open, being the second oldest golf tournament in the world and being our national open, it would be fantastic." he replied as to how much victory would mean on Sunday.
Madsen climbed into a tie for second with overnight co-leader Crespi after carding a three under par round of 69, while the Italian remains well positioned despite dropping a shot to Schwartzel on the day.
Former champion Hennie Otto of South Africa is alone in fourth after a sparkling round of 65, that included seven birdies over the final eight holes, which puts him right in the mix for a charge on the final day.
