Elson makes pitch for Joburg title as McGrane falls behind

England’s Jamie Elson gave himself a chance of winning the Joburg Open after firing a brilliant nine-under-par 63 in his final round today on Royal Johannesburg and Kensington’s East Course.

Ireland's Damien McGrane is well down the leaderboard on five under.

Elson’s blemish-free round included six birdies on the opening nine holes to reach the turn in 31 and he added another birdie on the 16th before completing a magnificent day with an eagle three on the 18th.

That left the 30-year-old Elson, who shared the opening-day lead after starting with an eight-under-par 63 on the West Course, as the clubhouse leader on 16 under for the tournament, although he was one behind overnight pacesetter Branden Grace of South Africa who was still out on the course.

Grace was tied for the lead yesterday on 15 under with England’s Richard Finch when the day’s play was suspended by heavy storms.

Grace, 23, birdied his final two holes of his third round this morning to move to 17 under, and he remained on that score after 10 holes of his final round after dropping a shot on the second but recovering with a birdie on the ninth.

Finch, in contrast, suffered a disappointing end to his third round with a bogey five on the 17th, and although he started his final round with a birdie on the first, he dropped shots at the fifth, ninth and 10th to slip back to 12 under.

In joint third spot on 15 under were Canadian Andrew Parr and South African Michiel Bothma.

Parr played the opening 10 holes in three under par while Bothma was two under, also after 10.