Donald keeps his nose in front
Englishman Luke Donald will take a narrow one-shot lead into the final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.
Donald tore up Sun City’s Gary Player Country Club in Friday’s second round, sinking nine birdies to take a two-shot lead overnight.
After four birdies in the first 10 holes of his third round on Saturday, the 36-year-old looked odds on to stretch that advantage even further, but he faltered somewhat coming home with bogeys at the 13th and 17th and had to settle for a three-under-par 69.
He was able to snatch a birdie at the last that gave him the outright lead on 13 under, however, with his countryman Danny Willett the man lurking just one shot behind.
“I’m pretty pleased with the score,” Donald said after his round. “I could have played a little bit more solid on the back nine, but to be honest, around this course, I think with a lead, shooting 69, that’s kind of what the game plan was, to go out and shoot a low round and keep myself ahead and in position for tomorrow.
“I did that and felt pretty calm out there, and it was nice to finish with a three.”
Donald added: “I’m excited to be in that position again. That’s why we work hard and that’s why we practice so much, and I’m excited for the challenge tomorrow.
“It will be nice playing with some of my fellow compatriots, and we’ll have some fun out there.”
Willett was the form player of the third round, his seven-under 65 emerging as the lowest round of the day.
He picked up four birdies on the front nine and four more on the back, with his only blemish coming at the par-four 13th.
Ross Fisher lies in third on 10 under, three shots off the pace, after a second successive 70.
With Germany’s Marcel Siem a full five shots further back in fourth, Sunday’s final round is looking like a three-way shoot-out between Englishmen Donald, Willett and Fisher.
“Tomorrow is going to be a big day,” said Fisher. “I just need to go out and play how I’ve been playing the first three days and how I putted on the first day.
“If I do that, I feel like I’ve got a really good chance of winning it.”
Latest
-
NewsNo bias with Shane Lowry Ryder Cup selection, says Padraig Harrington
The European captain insists his friendship with his fellow Irishman did Lowry no favours.
-
NewsPadraig Harrington admits picking his Ryder Cup wild cards was a tough task
Justin Rose missed out as Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Shane Lowry were selected.
-
NewsPadraig Harrington admits leaving out Justin Rose was ‘incredibly difficult’
Rose eagled the 18th at Wentworth in a final round of 65 to finish in a tie for sixth, but that was not enough.
-
NewsRyder Cup setback fired up Wentworth winner Billy Horschel
The American was victorious in the BMW PGA Championship.
-
NewsBilly Horschel emulates Arnold Palmer as American winner of BMW PGA Championship
Seven-time major winner Palmer claimed the title at Royal St George’s in 1975.
-
NewsFrancesco Laporta has the edge as Ryder Cup qualifying battle hots up
European captain Padraig Harrington is facing a major selection headache.
-
NewsLee Westwood questions the structure of Europe’s Ryder Cup qualifying system
Kiradech Aphibarnrat added a 68 to his opening 64 at Wentworth to post a halfway total of 12 under par and lead by one from England’s Laurie Canter.
-
NewsEngland’s Laurie Canter sets halfway target at PGA Championship
Canter carded eight birdies and two bogeys in a second round of 66 to post a halfway total of 11 under par.
-
NewsAdam Scott happy to be back at Wentworth after encouraging opening round
Scott carded eight birdies and a solitary bogey to finish seven under par on Thursday.
-
NewsAdam Scott produces impressive first round on return to Wentworth
The Australian was contesting one of the European Tour’s flagship events for the first time since 2006.