Schwartzel Grabs Five-Stroke Lead in South African Open


Charl Schwartzel carded his third straight round in the 60s to snatch a five-stroke lead in the South African Open. The European Tour event got underway Thursday at Glendower Golf Club near Johannesburg.

The 2011 Masters' champion followed up scores of 68 and 69 with a stellar 6-under 66 to reach 13-under 203, five shots clear of England's Matthew Fitzpatrick (67) and Scotsman David Drysdale (68).

Thirty-six-hole leader Andy Sullivan struggled to a 74 and dropped to 6-under 210.

Schwartzel, a 30-year-old from Johannesburg, posted eight birdies and two bogeys. He likes where he stands going into Sunday's final round. "I don't think you can ask for a much better start, with a bunched leaderboard it's one way to get yourself separated from the field," Schwartzel told the European Tour's website.

"I hit some really good shots but had quite a mixed bag with some really great shots and great saves, but some bad shots that maybe had some good breaks."

Schwartzel held a 54-hole lead in the event last year but finished fourth after a closing 71 at Glendower. Last year's winner, Denmark's Morten Orum Madsen, is at 1-under going into the last round.

Schwartzel is looking forward to a happier ending and finally nail down a victory in his nation's golf championship. "In the big world people look at the majors but coming from South Africa this is pretty much a major for South Africans. It will be nice to go out and keep swinging the way I am tomorrow."

Five-time South African Open winner Ernie Els rebounded from a second-round 77 with a 69 and is now at 3-under 213.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015000/leaderboard/index.html.