Sun City - Retief Goosen extended his lead at the Nedbank Challenge after shooting a 5-under 67 in the third round Saturday to sit two shots clear of Robert Allenby and Angel Cabrera.
Goosen missed a couple of easy birdie putts but holed a 25-footer from the fringe for an eagle on the ninth. He added three birdies to sit at 12-under 204.
Allenby and Cabrera both shot a 68.
Rory McIlroy, who struggled during the first two days, withdrew before the third round with a stomach ailment.
Nick Watney of the United States had the best round of the tournament, equalling the course record with a 9-under 63. Watney had a flawless round with nine birdies, but is still five shots behind Goosen in a tie for sixth with Tim Clark.
Ross Fisher of England shot a 66 to climb into a tie for fourth with defending champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who missed a number of easy putts and settled for a 70.
Scores after the third round:
204 - Retief Goosen (RSA) 69-68-67
206 - Robert Allenby (AUS) 68-70-68, Angel Cabrera (ARG) 71-67-68
208 - Ross Fisher (ENG) 73-69-66, Hendrik Stenson (SWE) 70-68-70
209 - Nick Watney (USA) 73-73-63, Tim Clark (RSA) 69-72-68
211 - Luke Donald (ENG) 72-71-68
213 Robert Karlsson (SWE) 70-72-71, Hunter Mahan (USA) 70-71-72
217 - Richard Sterne (RSA) 72-75-70
Goosen missed a couple of easy birdie putts but holed a 25-footer from the fringe for an eagle on the ninth. He added three birdies to sit at 12-under 204.
Allenby and Cabrera both shot a 68.
Rory McIlroy, who struggled during the first two days, withdrew before the third round with a stomach ailment.
Nick Watney of the United States had the best round of the tournament, equalling the course record with a 9-under 63. Watney had a flawless round with nine birdies, but is still five shots behind Goosen in a tie for sixth with Tim Clark.
Ross Fisher of England shot a 66 to climb into a tie for fourth with defending champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who missed a number of easy putts and settled for a 70.
Scores after the third round:
204 - Retief Goosen (RSA) 69-68-67
206 - Robert Allenby (AUS) 68-70-68, Angel Cabrera (ARG) 71-67-68
208 - Ross Fisher (ENG) 73-69-66, Hendrik Stenson (SWE) 70-68-70
209 - Nick Watney (USA) 73-73-63, Tim Clark (RSA) 69-72-68
211 - Luke Donald (ENG) 72-71-68
213 Robert Karlsson (SWE) 70-72-71, Hunter Mahan (USA) 70-71-72
217 - Richard Sterne (RSA) 72-75-70