Martin Kaymer overhauls Paul Lawrie in Sun City

Published on 02/12/2012 01:22

Martin Kaymer will take a one-stroke lead into today’s final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City after holding his nerve in testing conditions at the Gary Player Country Club.

A windy, overcast day saw Kaymer tally three birdies and just one bogey to post a two-under 70 and move to five under overall.

Kaymer, who began the day a shot behind overnight leader Paul Lawrie, was required to hold his nerve at the last to maintain the outright lead, the German sinking a tickly putt from around 10 feet to make par.

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen went round in 69 to sit one off the lead, while compatriot Charl Schwartzel is in the mix in third place, two shots behind Kaymer after shooting a 70.

Lawrie, pictured, had a trying day as the Scot carded a three-over 75 to drop back to sixth place, while England’s defending champion Lee Westwood (70) is in a share of fourth place on two under alongside America’s Bill Haas.

Kaymer says the only option with such a slender lead is to go on the attack.

“I think a mistake would be if I try to defend my lead,” he said on europeantour.com. “You cannot approach the last round like that.

“You hit fairways and greens and that is the most important, then think you will have a few more chances to make birdie.”

Oosthuizen is bidding to become the first South African winner of this event since 2007 and set five birdies against two bogeys yesterday to give his chances of claiming the title a huge lift.

And he admits the final round will be all about staying in touch until the final holes with conditions forecast to remain difficult.

“I would not be surprised if it is seven under winning it tomorrow,” he said.

“I think tomorrow you just need to stay very patient and give yourself a shot with four to five holes to go.

“It will be a great finish to a good season. I have played really well the whole season, one or two came really close to a few as well and I think winning it here would mean everything.”