Aiken in front at Dunhill

Dec 13, 2008 - 3:40 PM By Thahir Asmal PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MPUMALANGA, South Africa (Ticker) -- Little-known South African Thomas Aiken fired a course record 11-under-par 61 as he stormed to the top of the leaderboard after Saturday's third round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

The 25-year-old, who started the week at the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event with a 72, moved 18-under 198 overall.

Aiken is one-shot in front of American and second-round leader Len Mattiace (66) and Englishman Robert Rock (69).

Three other players also were locked at 14-under, including Richard Sterne, Oskar Henningsson and David Lynn.

But the day belonged to Aiken, who broke the previous best score at the Leopard Creek Golf Club set in 2003 when reigning Masters champion Trevor Immelman shot a 63 at the Tour Championship.

The Johannesburg-golfer fired eight birdies in his opening 13 holes, before he holed a 35-foot putt for birdie on the par-four 17th and followed that up by chipping in for eagle on the par-five 18th.

"It was a fantastic day today," he said.

"I had a great day yesterday and just came out here today trying to follow that 65 up and try to keep among the pack of the leaders. You know, it's this funny old game called golf. You know, you just plod along and all of a sudden, things start to happen and you get the ball rolling, sink a few putts and next thing you know you hit 11 under par.

As for the record, Aiken, who finished 39th at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale earlier this year, had no idea he was close to breaking it coming on to the 18th.

"I had no idea what the record was. I heard a couple of mutters but nothing confirmed," Aiken said. "I hit a good shot off the tee at the last, and I was on the fairway and I had a four iron to the green. Fortunately, I struck it well and that was that."

World No. 10 10 Lee Westwood endured a frustrating round with a bogey on the last seeing him drop back to 10-under overall following a 70.