Day three digest: 2020 Joburg Open

Everything you need to know from day three at Randpark Golf Club.

Wilco and Joachim set up a duel, Niklas enjoyed a glorious morning and golf was a cruel, cruel game on day three of the 2020 Joburg Open.

Here is everything you need to know from the third day of the opening event of the South African Swing.

Sunday showdown in store

Wilco Nienaber has been there or thereabouts all week and he continued his good form with a controlled 67 that made him look beyond his 20 years. His age would make him the youngest ever winner of this event should he prevail on Sunday but he'll have a hungry Joachim B. Hansen looking to chase him down. Nienaber's lead is just one shot at 16 under after Hansen carded an excellent 64, and it could be a straight fight down the stretch with the next nearest challengers at 11 under.

Stone rolls into contention

There are only three European Tour wins between the top nine after 54 holes - and they all belong to Brandon Stone. The home favourite carded a 64 to get himself into the final group - albeit five shots back - and the affable 27-year-old was entertaining as always as he faced the media.

Right at it

Zander Lombard was clearly dialled in on Saturday. One of his approach shots caught the slope and rolled to tap-in range for a birdie. Another one did this. Golf is a frustrating game.

You're kidding!?

We're not. The frustration of golf is as likely to come from inside 20 feet as 200 yards. Just ask Jacques Blaauw.

Beautiful morning for Lemke

After the weather delays on Friday, Mother Nature was not in the mood to give anything back on Saturday with plenty of rain about and cold temperatures. That is not what you really want when you're resuming a round at 7.00am but it was no trouble for Niklas Lemke, who made four birdies in a row from the fourth and added another at the ninth to make it six in his remaining five holes of round two. Clearly a morning person.

Team Cockerill making an impression

Paisley. Westwood. Cockerill? There have been a few wins in recent years where players have had their partners on the bag and Aaron Cockerill could be the next. He was due to wed fiancée Chelsea in August but with the coronavirus pandemic seeing that delayed, the Canadian pair are having an adventure in Europe, as Cockerill told the Player Blog presented by Enterprise-Rent-A-Car last month. They are six shots off the lead heading into round four.

Feliz Cumpleaños Adrian!

Adrian Otaegui will remember his 28th year as the one where he claimed his first 72 hole stroke play victory on the European Tour at the Scottish Championship presented by AXA. On the last day of it, he made two eagles in a 70 and he followed that up with another one under par effort on his birthday. Many happy returns Adrian!