EAST LONDON: Hopes of a sixth consecutive South African victory at the Africa Open rose yesterday when Darren Fichardt and Jaco van Zyl shared the third-round lead.
Fichardt fired a seven-under-par 65 and van Zyl a 68 to finish level on 201 with one round to go in the European Tour-Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned event at the par-72 6066-meter East London Golf Club.
Brazilian Adilson da Silva, who led after the first and second rounds on a course overlooking the Indian Ocean in this eastern coast town, is two strokes behind on 203 after a 73 that included a triple-bogey seven.
Frenchman Gregory Bourdy (67) is on 204, Argentine Emiliano Grillo (64) on 205 and Spaniard Jorge Campillo (63), Chilean Mark Tullo (68) and South African Tjaart van der Walt (68) on 206.
South Africans Louis Oosthuizen (twice), Charl Schwartzel, Retief Goosen and Shaun Norris have won the Africa Open since its inception with the last three editions part of the European circuit.
Fichardt, a three-time European Tour champion who started the third round trailing da Silva by six shots, collected an eagle and seven birdies only to have his round spoilt by two bogeys.
Seeking his maiden European Tour triumph after 12 top-10 finishes, van Zyl picked up five birdies and dropped one shot as he chases first prize in the one million euros ($1.3 million) event.
South Africa-based Da Silva had a nightmare end to his front nine with a triple bogey seven at the par-four eighth followed by a bogey at the following hole after eagling the third hole.
South African duo sets pace at Africa Open
