Hot Pair Have Jo Chance

Jan 13 2008

DARREN CLARKE and Ross McGowan are threatening to nick the Joburg Open from long-time leader Mark Murless after superb third rounds.

Clarke defied competitive rustiness to fire 67 while Englishman McGowan put a miserable day-two 75 behind him to better the Irishman with a sizzling 64.

That leaves the pair just three shots adrift of Murless and with every chance of glory going into today's final round at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington club.

Home favourite Murless has been ahead since Thursday and recovered from dropped shots on 10 and 17 yesterday with four birdies for a 69 and 11-under total.

Germany's Sven Struver (66), rookie South African Tyrone Ferreira (69) and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal (70) are all two behind on nine-under.

But the day belonged to McGowan following his bogey-free seven-under-par round - the best of the championship.

McGowan admitted he was furious after appearing to blow his chance 24 hours earlier.

But he was relieved with his improved performance and will tee off today in confident mood.

He said: "I was annoyed and went out with the plan of playing a more aggressive.

"I hit a six-iron into the first and holed it and it started from there.

"I kept it in play and gave myself chances and that's exactly what I set out to do."

Clarke claimed there was still plenty of work to be done on his game despite his fine score.

The Ryder Cup star said: "It was a grinding day. To shoot four-under the way I was driving was good but I'll have to go to the range."