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Britons trail Schwartzel at Leopard Creek

09/12/2006

Home favourite Charl Schwartzel will go into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Championships in Mpumalanga, South Africa with a two-shot lead over the British duo of Lee Westwood and Mark Pilkington.

The 22-year-old registered his third successive round of 68 to maintain his slender lead at 12-under, but Welshman Mark Pilkington was the big mover of the day, coming steaming out of the chasing pack with 65 to join Westwood in second place.

Another South African, David Terblanche, is on hand to pick up the pieces should compatriot Schwartzel stumble on the final day as he matched Pilkington's round to lurk a further shot back at nine-under.

The tightly-packed field looked as though it may be evened out further when the leader stuttered around the turn and was briefly hauled back into the fray.

After picking up three birdies and an eagle in the opening six holes of the day, Schwartzel, who won the competition in 2004, conceded three shots over four successive holes as his title bid threatened to run out of steam.

But after finding himself tied with Pilkington for the lead, he rediscovered his form and carded birdies on the 14th and 15th to push himself clear once more.

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