Schwartzel looks to continue excellent form in Joburg Open

There is plenty of golfing action to keep fans happy over the next few days, starting with the Joburg Open, which heads into its final day on Sunday. Englishman David Lynn was a bit of a surprise leader on day two, as he took up a strong position at the top of the leader board. Lynn was something of a surprise as he has only really ever made one great impression on the tour, when he won his only tournament in 2004. With other names in the chasing pack including Darren Clarke and South African Charl Schwartzel, Lynn was looking good. His third round however, didn’t live up to quite as much expectation, and it was Schwartzel who seized the initiative. Lynn has fallen out of the top twenty, and out of contention.

But Schwartzel, the South African, who will be keeping the interests of the home fans high, stretched his leg after the third round, opening up a four shot lead over Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke. Clarke has been looking in good form, and very consistent, but he couldn’t keep pace with Schwartzel who shot a 7-under par round of 64. It’s not been perfect golfing weather down in South Africa, with rain and thunder sweeping across the venue on the first two days, but the action has been good, and there is a good chase at the top of the leader board.

Schwartzel set the mark, avoiding any bogey’s in both the second and third rounds, and backs up the form that took him to the Africa Open title just last week. He will start the final day as strong favourite, with Clarke the most likely to reel him in. Clarke indeed had his opportunities to close the gap on Schwartzel, but he missed some close chances on the greens to put him in a stronger position. The Joburg Open is part of the Sunshine Tour, and is one of the four events that make up the tour (all sanctioned by the PGA European Tour), but more importantly, is the fourth event in the season long chase to make it to the money-laden 2010 Race to Dubai.

Joburg Open Outright Winner
Charl Schwartz (-18 under) – 1/5 at Paddy Power
Darren Clarke (-14 under) – 7/1 at Blue Square
Hendrik Buhrmann (-12 under) – 40/1 at BetFred
Hennie Otto (-11 under) – 66/1 at BetFred