Murless keeps in control

Mark Murless remained in command at the Joburg Open late on Saturday afternoon with a two-stroke lead over Germany’s Sven Struver.

South African Murless, who has led from day one, still had three holes to play on a much drier day at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club after rain made playing conditions tricky during the opening two rounds.

The round of the day and the competition so far belong to England’s Ross McGowan, who stormed back into contention with a seven under-par card of 64.

It was a remarkable turnaround for the 25-year-old, especially after his four over-par 75 on Friday, a score that almost made him miss the cut.

He said: “(Yesterday) I just forgot my way around, really. I didn’t hit the ball all that well either and didn’t hole many putts.

“I wasn’t too disappointed with how I played, just more annoyed with the day and the chances that I didn’t take.

“Today the weather was better than yesterday; I think that made a difference.”

McGowan’s effort allowed him to move onto eight-under for the championship, a share of third place with a host of players including Ireland’s Darren Clarke, who followed up Friday’s 65 with a 67.

Robert Rock also had another good day with a solid 68, while Sion Bebb and Iain Pyman – both of whom were in contention after the opening two rounds – had poor days.

Welshman Bebb shot a 73 to drop to one under-par, while Pyman from England shot the same score for an overall score of four-under.