JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Louis Oosthuizen was back in front at the South African Open on Saturday after a 4-under 67 gave him a three-shot lead and a chance at his first title at his home tournament.
Oosthuizen went ahead of fellow major winner Charl Schwartzel again after surrendering the lead in round two, when he fell two shots behind.
The 2010 British Open winner rebounded with a strong putting display to move to a 14-under 199 overall and open a handy advantage over a group of three players tied for second at the Firethorn Course at Randpark Golf Club.
Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, is among them after he struggled to a 1-over 72. Madalitso Muthiya (71) and Matt Wallace (68) are also 11 under.
“I’ve been putting well for a long time now,” Oosthuizen said. “(Saturday) I couldn’t make anything and today the makeable ones went in. Eighteen more holes of good golf and I just need to take (it) one shot at a time.”
Oosthuizen kept it together with six birdies and two bogeys. Schwartzel couldn’t get going, making just one birdie after dropping two shots in his opening three holes.
Branden Grace is 8 under and part of a group of eight players tied for fifth, six strokes off the lead. Also in that group is Ernie Els, the five-time South African Open champion who last won the tournament in 2010 and last won anywhere in 2013.
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