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Sun City - Four birdies on the back nine saw Welshman Jamie Donaldson maintain his three stroke lead at the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Saturday with one round to play.
The 38-year-old, chasing his biggest single payday yet at the $6.5-million event, kept up Friday's momentum as he returned a third round score of 67 for a 16-under-par total of 200.
He might have had a more comfortable lead in search of the $1.25-million first prize, had he not bogeyed the 17th at the Gary Player Country Club.
"I was in between clubs and it put me in trouble but in the end I came out with a good five. I'm still in a strong position and I've got to go out there on Sunday and play really good golf," he told Supersport television.
"It's a tough field, a lead of three doesn't mean much among these guys."
Donaldson leads from Thomas Bjorn of Denmark and American Ryan Moore, who are 13-under-par.
Bjorn played one of the best rounds of the day, birdying the 18th for a second successive day to finish with a 66.
"I got off to a good start and played solid golf. That's what you need to do on this course. If I can shoot 66 or 67 on Sunday, I'll give myself a chance. But you have to play sensible golf, not try and chase down the leader," Bjorn said at the end of his round.
Moore followed a second round 65 with a 67 on Saturday, with five birdies in a bogey-free round.
Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand both matched Bjorn's 66 to go 11-under, along with world number three Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who hit a double bogey at the par-five ninth to finish with a 69.
For three-time winner Ernie Els, making a record 18th appearance at the tournament called 'Africa's major', a triple bogey early in his round saw him finish with a 77 for a seven-over total that leaves him tie bottom of the elite 30-man field.
Collated third round scores and totals on Saturday in the European & Sunshine Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa
(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):
200 - Jamie Donaldson 67-66-67
203 - Thomas Bjorn (DEN) 67-70-66, Ryan Moore (USA) 71-65-67
205 - Sergio Garcia (ESP) 66-73-66, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 69-67-69, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 69-70-66
207 - Brendon De Jonge 70-68-69
208 - D.A. Points (USA) 71-67-70, Darren Fichardt (RSA) 71-68-69
209 - Peter Uihlein (USA) 70-69-70, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 68-70-71, Justin Rose 73-67-69
210 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 74-69-67
211 - Martin Kaymer (GER) 71-66-74, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (ESP) 67-72-72
213 - Luke Donald 68-71-74
215 - Francesco Molinari (ITA) 76-70-69, Branden Grace (RSA) 75-71-69, Morten Orum Madsen (DEN) 76-71-68
216 - Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 73-72-71
217 - Joost Luiten (NED) 74-68-75, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-76-70, Richard Sterne (RSA) 73-73-71
218 - Matteo Manassero (ITA) 72-74-72
219 - David Lynn 73-71-75
222 - Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) 77-72-73, Gary Woodland (USA) 74-73-75
223 - Ernie Els (RSA) 75-71-77, Peter Senior (AUS) 80-68-75, Kevin Streelman (USA) 75-71-77
