Louis Oosthuizen will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the SA Open at Randpark on Sunday.
The 2010 Open champion is chasing a first national open title and will rest easy on Saturday night after recording one of the best rounds of the day in uncharacteristic windy conditions on Saturday. Oosthuizen went round the Firethorn course in 67 blows, which included six birdies and two bogeys, to be at 14-under-par and in pole position for the final round.
Oosthuizen said he felt good about his game ahead of Sunday’s final round. “I had a lot of par saves today and putted well, something I’ve been doing well for some time now.
“The shots into the wind were easier to control than the ones that were downhill ... I don’t know what the weather’s going to be like on Sunday, but I just have to go out there and do what I did today.”
Three players are three shots off the pace at 11-under-par – England’s Matt Wallace (68), Zambia’s Madalitso Muthiya (71) and South African Charl Schwartzel (72).
@SAOpen_Golf leader by three shots going into final round at @RandparkGolf on Sunday, @Louis57TM discusses his third round four-under 67. @IOLsport @Sunshine_Tour @EuropeanTour pic.twitter.com/8b3DTiXI2w
— Jacques vdWesthuyzen (@jacq_west) December 8, 2018
Eight players are a further three shots back at eight-under-par, among them Ernie Els, Branden Grace and J’be Kruger.
The defending champion, Chris Paisley from England, is in a tie for 22nd place with a score of six-under-par ahead of Sunday’s round, while the leading amateur, chasing the Freddie Tait Cup, is Els’ 21-year-old nephew, Jovan Rebula, who’s also at six-under-par after his three rounds.
Fifteen-year-old Yurav Premlall, who is the youngest ever player to feature at the SA Open, shot a third round score of one-over-par 73 to be in a tie for 55th position.