Sterne loses ground on leaders

Richard Sterne’s attempts to win a third consecutive European Tour at the Joburg Open looked to be quickly waning after a sluggish start to the final round today.

The South African, who is the defending champion at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, started another overcast day on six-under 207, five shots behind joint overnight leaders Charl Schwartzel, Andrew McLardy and David Drysdale, all on 11 under for the championship.

But a bogey on the par-four first followed by another on the par-three fifth saw him drop back to two over for his round and with plenty of work to do to catch the leading trio, who were yet to tee off.

Retief Goosen and Joakim Haeggman, both of whom were a shot behind the leaders at 10 under after round three, also had poor first holes beginning with bogeys, while the other man on the same score, Anders Hansen, started his final day with a par.

Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey, nine under at the start, began with four pars, while fellow Briton Danny Willet was one over through three holes to drop back to eight under overall.

The best clubhouse score of the day belonged to Hennie Otto – the South African putting behind a double bogey at the par-four seventh to complete his round in 67, including six birdies as he ended his week on two-under 282.