JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Mark Murless shot a 2-under 69 Saturday to extend his lead to two strokes after the third round of the Joburg Open. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and southern Africa's Sunshine Tour.
Murless is at 11-under 202 going into Sunday's final round, with three players tied for second -- Sven Struver, Pablo Larrazabal and Tyrone Ferreira.
Murless had four birdies and two bogeys, while Struver had a 5-under 66 with an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys. But the round of the day came from Ross McGowan, whose 64 vaulted him into a share of fifth place with Darren Clarke (67).
Murless who has led the championship at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club since Thursday, again kept his composure recovering from dropped shots on 10 and 17 with his four birdies.
Most of the challengers were having average rounds before strong finishes moved them right back into contention, with Ferreira especially making up ground as he picked up three strokes on the final two holes for a card of 69.
Clarke had another superb day adding to his 65 on Friday to stay in contention only three shots behind Murless.
The day, however, belonged to Englishman McGowan, who stormed back into contention with his bogey-free round of 7-under 64 -- the best of the championship so far. His performance helped him bounce back from Friday's lackluster 75, and he admitted afterward that he was relieved with his improved performance.
"I was pretty annoyed last night and I went out this morning with the game plan of playing a little more aggressive," he said. I hit a 6-iron into the first and holed it and it started from there, really. I felt like I hadn't played poorly at all (yesterday), so it was a bit of a surprise.
But it was good to get out there on good greens.
"I kept it in play today and gave myself chances and that's exactly what I set out to do," he added. "I played nicely and the greens were great; they rolled well for me today.
It was early when we went out and they weren't too worn out yet.
"They were getting a little spiky and bumpy towards the end of the round," he said. "We'll just have to see how it goes tomorrow."
Despite his excellent round, Clarke admitted that there was still plenty of work to be done on improving his game.
"The round was pretty good, even if I didn't play as well as I did yesterday," he said. "It was a grinding day again, really.
You have to shoot for under-par here to give yourself a chance," he added. To shoot 4 under par the way I was driving, was good, but I'll have to go to the driving range and put some work in."
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