Golf
Oosthuizen leads Rhys Davies
2010-03-20 20:56
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Rabat - South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen fired 10 birdies to card a nine under par 64 and take a two shot lead over Welshman Rhys Davies after three rounds of the Trophee Hassan II.
Oosthuizen, 27, who is still searching for a first European Tour title, moved to 20 under for the tournament at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
The South African player is desperate to follow the example set by compatriot Charl Schwartzel who won the Joburg Open and Africa Open earlier this season before being edged out by just one shot by Ernie Els at the WGC-CA Championship in Miami.
"I can be hot and cold with the putter but I am finding more consistency in the greens now and reading the putts better, especially here where it feels more like South Africa with the weather as it is," said Oosthuizen.
"I am very happy with such a strong position. I haven't done a lot going in with a lead before but I am playing well enough so it's up to me to enjoy it."
Davies, the halfway leader after an eight under 64, shot a 68 on Saturday to sit two clear of France's Thomas Levet and another South African, Thomas Aiken.
The 24-year-old Welshman, who was third in the Malaysian Open two weeks ago, picked up three shots on the back nine after four birdies and two bogeys on the front nine to keep himself firmly in contention going into the final round.
"This is my second week on the bounce of being right in the mix and I'm enjoying it. It's good to be at the top and good to be playing with these top class players and trying to beat them," said Davies.
Levet also went round in 68, with Aiken shooting a 67.
Aiken, like Schwartzel and Oosthuizen part of a generation of South African golfers who look set to be challenging for top European Tour honours for years to come, admits he is enjoying the challenge of trying to keep pace with his compatriots.
"If your comrades play good golf then you end up pushing each other on and I think you could see that with Ernie (Els) and Charl in the States last week," he said.
"They played some fantastic stuff in Miami and it does inspire you to play well. They've raised the bar and we all have to clear it. It's like the four minute mile, as soon as one person runs it, others follow. We are all out here trying to push each other as hard as we can."
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