Kruger and Schwartzel lead in South Africa

Little-known Jbe’ Kruger held the clubhouse lead late on the third afternoon of the Africa Open in East London after his six under par round of 67 put him joint-top on 15 under par.

The 23-year-old South African shared that position with one of the pre-tournament favourites, countryman Charl Schwartzel, who notched up five birdies in seven holes for a share of the lead with two holes still to play.

Trevor Fisher Jr, the leader at the halfway stage, was a shot back on 14 under after a mixed round three, which saw him going level par through 13 holes after two bogeys and two birdies on the front nine.

He was joined on the same score by Jake Roos – the early pacesetter stumbling on the par-three 17 to fall back a shot for a round of 66 – and Bradford Vaughan, who still had two holes to play.

Two other home favourites Thomas Aiken and Keith Horne were on 13 under, two under for their rounds, with four holes still to play, with Miles Tunnicliff also part of that group, but already in the clubhouse after a fine 66.

The veteran Englishman, who hails from Leamington Spa, turned in an excellent first ten holes that took in six birdies, before back-to-back bogeys threatened to derail his effort.

But he bounced back with birdies at 16 and 17 to finish with a 66 to go with his 68 and 71 on the first two days.

He said: “I played really solid today and got the putter going nicely, which hasn’t happened for quite a while.

“So it was nice to see a few putts roll in. The wind’s getting up a bit now, so we’ll be close in there for tomorrow.”

Ireland’s Darren Clarke was looking well on course for a place among the leaders after heading into the final hole at five under, but he had a triple bogey at the par four last.

He pulled his tee shot left into the rough, took two chip shots to get out of it and then two-putted to end with a disappointing 71 – nine under overall.

Other leading contenders for the title, James Kingston and Richard Sterne of South Africa, were on 11 under and nine under respectively with two holes each to play.