Charl Schwartzel made a steady rather than spectacular start to the final round as his pursuit of a maiden South African Open Championship hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni continued.
The former Masters Tournament winner, who despite claiming six of his nine European Tour titles on home soil has yet to win his national Open, parred the first three holes – the latter courtesy of an excellent up-and-down.
At 13 under par both David Drysdale and Matthew Fitzpatrick had edged a shot closer to the leader, but remained four behind despite both gaining a shot at the long second.
Italy’s Alessandro Tadini fired four straight birdies to the turn to reach eight under and join first round leader Andy Sullivan and England’s Lee Slattery in a share of fourth on eight under.
