Erik van Rooyen will start Sunday’s final round at the Qatar Masters as South Africa’s highest-placed golfer after a third round 70.
Saturday’s scoring was significantly higher but Van Rooyen, himself still searching for his first win at this level, kept himself composed to remain in the picture. He started with a birdie but a bogey on the fifth slowed his progress.
The day turned into a grind but birdies at 14 and 15 saw him gain a share of the lead before England’s Oliver Wilson got to -10.
Justin Harding was one of two South Africans to hold a share of the lead at the halfway mark but dropped into a share of 10th following a 73 that included four bogeys in a six hole stretch around the turn.
The Stellenbosch GC star knuckled down and closed with two birdies in his final three holes to remain within three strokes of leader Wilson.
Wilson is one clear of Van Rooyen and three others with four players two back in a share of sixth.
Joining Harding in the group sharing 10th are George Coetzee and Christiaan Bezuidenhout. The latter shooting a magnificent 66 on the back of a start that included four birdies on the bounce.
