MALELANE, South Africa (AP) Charl Schwartzel was on course for his first title on the European Tour in a year on Saturday as the defending champion opened a two-shot lead after three rounds at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
Schwartzel hit a 5-under 67 to move to 13-under 203 and break clear of England's Richard Finch (67) at Leopard Creek. Victor Riu of France was another shot back on 10 under after he also carded a 67.
Former Masters champion Schwartzel led after three rounds at the South African Open last weekend before slipping up on the final day. He carded five birdies and no bogeys to lead outright with a round to play at the Alfred Dunhill, which he won by a dominant 12 shots a year ago for his last European Tour win and only victory on the circuit since the triumph at the 2011 Masters.
Schwartzel's co-overnight leader Morten Orum Madsen, the South African Open winner last week, slumped to a 7-over 79 on Saturday to slide down to a tie for 34th, 12 shots off Schwartzel's lead.
After expressing his displeasure with the second-round pin placements at the Alfred Dunhill, Schwartzel avoided any slipups in his third round and has not dropped a shot since the 10th hole of his opening round.