Westwood takes lead in South Africa

Dec 20, 2008 - 4:26 PM By Thahir Asmal PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WESTERN CAPE, South Africa (Ticker) -- Lee Westwood will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the South African Open after he carded a 4-under-par 68 during Saturday's third round.

That gave the Englishman a combined total of 202 at the Pearl Valley Golf Estates, putting him in a strong position to claim his first win of 2008.

Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin and overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera are 12-under after rounds of 69 and 72, respectively, one shot ahead of three players at 11-under.

They include Maybin's fellow countryman Rory McIlroy, who shot a 5-under 67 to storm into contention, as well as Retief Goosen and George Coetzee, all at 205.

Bernd Wiesberger from Austria was a further stroke back at 206 after recording the round of the day, a 7-under 65 that included six birdies, one eagle and a bogey. He is alongside Ireland's Damien McGrane, Ross McGowan and Len Mattiace at 207.

But it was Westwood, the world No. 10 that continued his good form and showed remarkable patience for his four-birdie round that included 10 consecutive pars between the fourth and 13th holes.

"It's a good position to be in. You want to be leading, so I'm pleased with the position," Westwood said. "I'm just pleased with the way I played the last three days, I've been very solid and made just one bogey, I think.

"It was good to see a bit more breeze today, it helped me a bit more tee-to-green and that's probably the strongest part of my game at the moment, so I'm pretty pleased."

Westwood, who had 13 top 10 finishes during the past season without a win, admitted that his plan for the final round was to just go out and play.

"I have to think and not get too ahead of myself," he added. "All week long, all I've tried to do is minimize the mistakes and just get around.

"I'm just enjoying it and I look forward to going out and playing every day the way I'm hitting the ball. It's a golf course I enjoy playing."

Four-time champion Ernie Els, who started the day in second place, shot a woeful 5-over 77, with two triple bogeys and four bogeys to drop out of contention.

World No. 8 Henrik Stenson recovered from his poor start earlier in the day to post a 69, his best score of the week, for a tournament total 210, while Justin Rose finished with a 1-under 71.