Cheetham dreaming of first Tour title

Neil Cheetham is just 18 holes away from realising his lifelong dream of a European Tour title at the Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Cheetham, who chose golf over football after a knee injury prevented him signing for Sheffield Wednesday as a youngster, is one shot clear of South African veteran David Frost as the tournament enters the final round.

But the 37-year-old will have to fight off a chasing pack which includes Ernie Els.

Cheetham needed an eagle on the last hole of Tour School to make it back onto the circuit. But he has surprised many in South Africa by handling the Lowveld bush easily while so many others have faltered.

Overnight leader Peter Gustafsson of Sweden, for instance, started off well with a birdie but then found the sweltering heat and swirling wind too much for his liking, dropping way off the pace with a disappointing 79.

Cheetham though went about his business quietly, but reached a turning point on the par-four eighth, where he pulled the ball right into a bunker, and found an inspirational shot to save par on the hole.

“The eighth was almost a turning point for me. After going past the seventh, which everyone dreads. I lost my concentration a bit. It was my shot of the day, it was a great shot and it settled me down.”

Cheetham has been one of the few who has put a consistent score on the board. “I have no clue and I don’t really care, to be honest. I don’t want to put a figure in my head. When you start doing that it’s dangerous."

World number three Ernie Els eagled the last hole to sound a warning that he would still be gunning for the title tomorrow after his disappointing 75 in the second round.

Els will be part of a trio of hometown players, including David Frost and young gun Charl Schwartzel, to try to ensure a South African wins the tournament.

The Big Easy did admit though, that he was “highly irritated” with his game today. “The eagle was the first put I made in two days,” Els joked.

Ireland's Damien McGrane is best of the Irish, tied for 10th place on two under after a 72.

Peter Lawrie is tied for 24th after a 75 left him one over while Stephen Browne lies joint 71st after shooting a 76.