Aiken leads in Johannesburg

Thomas Aiken led the Joburg Open early through the third round after his solitary birdie through five holes put him a shot clear on the east course of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.

The South African was a shot behind halfway leaders Charl Schwartzel, Garth Mulroy and Jamie Elson at the start, but all three dropped shots during their opening four holes.

Defending champion Schwartzel, who recorded a thrilling 61 in round two, faltered on the par-three second where he made a four, while compatriot Mulroy began with a five on the par-four first.

Englishman Elson fared even worse on the first hole with a double bogey six, although he managed to pull back a shot with a birdie on the fourth hole.

The trio were playing together after the traditional two-ball play was abandoned in favour of three-balls on day three after a rain-affected day two mean that more than 25 players had to come back this morning to complete second rounds.

That meant a later tee-off with half of the 72-man field teeing off on the ninth hole.

Another Englishman Ben Evans was making good progress after he picked up three birdies in his first six holes to also sit on 12 under, the same as co-round one leader Tyrone Mordt – level par through five.

Locals Branden Grace and Martin Maritz were both on level par through six holes to sit a further shot back on 11 under, while Spaniard Carlos Del Moral and George Coetzee, both on three under at the halfway stage, as well as James Kingston, who was on two over after five, were all on 10 under.

Earlier this morning the cut was drawn at four under, meaning the likes of Darren Clarke and former champion Richard Sterne had just survived to play the weekend.

Northern Irishman Clarke was level par through five holes – four under overall - and Sterne was on one over through six to slip back to three under.