Johannesburg – The South African challenge ground to a halt as Charl Schwartzel shot a one-over 73 to end on two-under par after round three of the Open Championship at Royal Troon, in Scotland on Saturday.
Starting the day out six shots off the lead set by American Phil Mickelson, the over-par round for Schwartzel meant he slipped back to 10 shots behind. Swede Henrik Stenson ended the third round on top on 12-under courtesy of a 68 on day three to move one ahead of Mickelson.
Of the five South Africans who made the cut, only Schwartzel began the day inside the top-10 in a tie for sixth.
A double-bogey six at the second hole set the 2011 Masters champion back in his challenge for the Claret Jug.
Three birdies before the turn, however, put Schwartzel in line for a move up the leaderboard. It was not to be though, as bogey fives at the difficult 10th and 11th holes followed for Schwartzel. The second double-drop of his round came at the par-four 15th, somewhat offset by a birdie at the par-five 16th.
Haydn Porteous showed signs of a big future in Links golf by compiling a superb three-under 68 which was tied for the lowest round of the day.
The Open debutant needed just 25 putts as he notched up no fewer than seven birdies to vault up 42 places into a share of 25th place. The Joburg Open champion ended on one-over overall going into the final round, where another low score could see a move towards the top-10 to complete an outstanding first appearance at the oldest golf event in the world.
Richard Sterne was the next best South African on five-over in a tie for 50th.
Zander Lombard, also making his debut, was a shot further behind in 62nd place. Branden Grace, the top-ranked South African in the field, ended tied-65th on seven over. – ANA