European number one Retief Goosen is in position to begin the defence of his title in style in the South African Open in Durban. Goosen carded a third-round 69 in testing conditions at Durban Country Club to lie just two shots off the lead held by compatriot Tim Clark at 12 under par. Welshman Jonathan Lomas is in third position after returning in 71, while triple SA Open champion Ernie Els compiled a 68 to move to within six shots of the lead.
The round began with overnight leader James Kingston stretching his lead to three with two birdies in the first three holes. But the South African suffered a collapse on the back nine, where an inward loop of 40 and a 74 leaves him three off the lead. Clark did most of his scoring on the front nine, with the majority of holes played downwind and where five birdies and a bogey saw him out in 32. The 26-year-old birdied the 10th and dropped a shot at the 11th before parring his way home in the face of a strong wind.
Ireland's Michael Hoey is in 69th place on 4 over par after carding a 76 today.
Filed by Shane Murray
