Local knowledge serves Coetzee well as Jamieson puts himself in with a chance

GEORGE COETZEE put himself in pole position to claim a second Tshwane Open title at his home course after opening up a two-shot lead heading into today’s final round.

Coetzee has been a member at Pretoria Country Club since taking up the sport and put his local knowledge to good use to card a third round of 68 and reach 14 under par.

England’s Sam Horsfield and Finland’s Mikko Korhonen are Coetzee’s nearest challengers on 12 under, Horsfield surging through the field with a flawless 64 — the lowest round of the day — and Korhonen returning a 69.

‘I’m happy with a twoshot lead,’ said Coetzee, despite a bogey on the 18th after his drive finished behind a tree. ‘Playing in front of a home crowd is what it’s all about. I hope I can do something special in front of all the guys tomorrow.

‘It will be hard to take the win out of the picture, but I’ll try my best to just go out and play some good golf.’

Horsfield, who came through all three stages of the European Tour’s qualifying school and won the final by eight shots, held the outright lead after birdies on the first four holes and further gains on the ninth, 11th and 12th before settling for six straight pars to finish.

‘When I was seven under through 12 I just tried to stay in my zone,’ said the 21-year-old.

Scotland’s Scott Jamieson is four shots off the lead after a third round of 67, while compatriot Connor Syme is three further back on seven under after he put together a fine 68 yesterday.