Close encounters, but Jamieson leads

SCOTT Jamieson is chasing his second European Tour title in South Africa, taking a one-shot lead into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship after posting a 68 yesterday.

The 35-year-old carded an eagle, five birdies, one bogey and a double bogey in a mixed third round at Leopard Creek to move to 11 under par, one shot ahead of closest challenger David Lipsky.

Jamieson continues his love affair with the country having won the Nelson Mandela Championship in Durban in December 2012.

“It’s obviously a great place to be but I’m certainly not getting ahead of myself,” he said. “There’s an awful long way to go and a lot can happen in 18 holes, especially on this golf course, this back nine, where there’s so much risk-reward. There’s a long way to go and hopefully I can do it but let’s see what happens.”

Home favourites Zander Lombard and Brandon Stone were in a tie for third, a further two strokes back on eight under.

Jamieson’s fellow Scots Marc Warren and David Drysdale are also in with a chance on the final day just four strokes off the lead and tied fifth along with France’s Raphael Jacquelin and Pablo Larrazabal.

Glaswegian Jamieson came into the day one shot behind halfway leader Lipsky but soon set about closing the gap.

He carded two birdies and a single bogey on his front nine to reach the turn in 34, while Lipsky sandwiched one birdie between two bogeys in his first nine holes.

Jamieson found himself in possession of a three-shot lead after following up a brilliant eagle at the par-four 11th with a birdie on the 13th.

But a disappointing double bogey at the 14th and an eagle from Lipsky on the 15th saw that advantage wiped out completely as both men were locked at 10 under.

There was then a three-shot swing in the Scot’s favour on the short 16th as bunker trouble saw American Lipsky run up a double bogey, while Jamieson curled in his 8ft birdie putt to jump to 11 under.

But, as Jamieson safely parred his way home, Lipsky closed his round with back-to-back birdies to sign for a 70 and reduce the deficit to one.

Meanwhile, defending champion Justin Rose dropped to seven shots behind leader Poom Saksansin ahead of the final round of the Indonesian Masters. The world No 2, who resumed six strokes behind the Thai player, carded three birdies and two bogeys during a third-round 71 to leave him tied for fourth place.