Louis Oosthuizen was delighted to pick up a closing birdie as he ground out a 72 that kept him right in the hunt heading into the final day of the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player.
The 2010 Open Champion was not at his brilliant best on day three at Gary Player Country Club but got a nice kick on the 18th green for a birdie and a two-shot swing that left him just two shots behind leader Sergio Garcia.
Oosthuizen has won on the Sun City layout before on the Sunshine Tour in 2007, and that knowledge on a tough course could prove vital as he searches for a first Rolex Series victory.
“It was tough for me,” he said. “I didn't play well, didn't hit many good shots, really. I realised early on that it was a round I needed to keep together and not really blow myself out of the tournament. I hung in there nicely.
“These are the rounds you take a lot of positives out of - if you don't play well and you're still in it to win.
“The birdie on the last was big momentum for me going into tomorrow and two behind is a lot better than four behind. I just need to dial in a bit tomorrow and hopefully hit it a little better.”
Another man who knows Gary Player Country Club well is Lee Westwood, who has won here three times since 2000.
The Englishman fired a 69 on Saturday to get within three of the lead and was delighted to be in contention again as he goes for European Tour win number 24.
“I always look forward to being in contention and playing in the last few groups,” he said. “Even more so when it's a golf course like this where I've done well in the past.
“It's a tournament I love playing in and I love coming back to Sun City. It's a good spot to be in.
“I'm not going to say I feel a little bit South African because we beat you in the rugby last weekend and probably Englishmen aren't that popular down here at the moment. I've always had a lot of support and backing from the South African people down here.”
Finn Mikko Korhonen was also at seven under after a 71 as he looks for a second win of the season.
“I hit it pretty well off the tee,” he said. “Didn't miss many greens and when I missed, I missed in the right place. A couple of bad ones on the front nine as well, like yesterday, but I did pretty good.
“I'm enjoying it. It demands patience, a lot of patience, and I hope I have it tomorrow. I'm very excited and hope to put together another solid round and see how I end up.”
