Henrik Stenson on course for South African Open title at Serengeti

Published on 18/11/2012 00:09

Henrik Stenson remains on course for the South African Open title at Serengeti. The 36-year-old Swede took a three-stroke lead into the final round after responding to home player George Coetzee’s course-record 63 with a 69 to reach 16 under par.

Coetzee gave himself a chance of a first European Tour title with an eagle two and no fewer than nine birdies. But the 26-year-old from Pretoria, who has had 17 top-ten finishes on the circuit in the past three seasons, also had bogeys at the 12th and 15th.

Stenson’s compatriot Magnus Carlsson birdied the last for a 68 that lifted him alongside Coetzee in second place, while Darren Fichardt – another of the home contingent – is in fourth spot three strokes further back.

Scots pair Marc Warren and Peter Whiteford lie joint 13th on six-under after respective rounds of 71 and 72. Lloyd Saltman finished his third round one shot behind with a poor 75, after his 66 on Friday.

Craig Lee, who needed a good result to keep his tour card, slumped to 38th in the table after a damaging 77.

• Ai Miyazato of Japan was a shot clear at the midway point of the CME Group Titleholders event in Florida after an eight-under-par round of 64 left her with a ten-under total of 134. Scotland’s Catriona Matthew had a disappointing 77 and was 15 shots off the lead.