Nedbank Challenge: Luke Donald on course to end trophy drought in Sun City
Saturday 6 December 2014 22:28, UK
Luke Donald remains in charge at the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa where the former world No 1 carded a three-under-par 69 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round on Sunday.
Although Donald was unable to reproduce his excellent 63 from Friday, a superb closing birdie-four at the tough 18th hole at Sun City edged him back in front of his nearest challenger Danny Willett.
Donald, without a win in 13 months and currently No 37 in the world ranking, made a strong start to his third round by reaching the turn in 33 strokes.
However, this was followed by a more subdued back nine that yielded a bogey-five at the 13th – the hole where on Friday he had to run away from a galloping baboon.
This setback was his first dropped shot in 43 holes and, when he suffered another bogey at 17 where he missed a par putt from five feet, he was suddenly tied for the lead at 12-under with Willett.
But Donald, who will celebrate his 37th birthday on Sunday, struck back immediately at the 502-yard par-four hole with a fantastic iron shot from rough.
After pulling his drive close to trouble down the left, Donald’s exquisite approach landed six feet short of the pin and he duly holed out for a birdie-three to regain the lead.
Nedbank Golf Challenge
Donald, whose most recent top-10 finish came at Wentworth back in May, will tee-off on Sunday with just two other players within an eight-shot range.
The round of the day belonged to Willett, the world No 84 from Sheffield, who made eight birdies in a 65.
The 27-year-old’s sole bogey also came at 13 and he will partner Donald in round four when he will attempt to claim just the second European Tour title of his career.
Berkshire’s Ross Fisher is alone in third place – three shots off the pace – following a 70 and is realistically the only other player in with a chance of winning this prestigious title on Sunday afternoon when the champion will almost certainly be an Englishman.
Watch the final round live on Sky Sports 4 HD from 8am on Sunday.
