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Kruyswijk makes it look easy at Royal Cape

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 26: Jacques Kruyswijk during day 3 of the 2016 Lion of Africa Cape Town Open at Royal Cape Golf Club on November 26, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa. EDITOR'S NOTE: For free editorial use. Not available for sale. No commercial usage. (Photo by Petri Oeschger/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images)

Conditions were the toughest yet during round three of the Cape Town Open at Royal Cape Golf Club on Saturday, where Jacques Kruyswijk carded 68 to lead by three strokes.

The 24-year-old was 15 under par going into the final round and confident of his ability, backed up by top fives from two of his last three starts on the Sunshine Tour.

‘It feels pretty good. I’ve been working hard to be in this position and I feel like I can cap it off tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the challenge,’ said Kruyswijk.

The wind blew at 35 kilometres per hour and the pins were tucked in the third round, but he met the challenge with seven birdies.

The Centurion local, still hunting his breakthrough win, teed up alongside Brandon Stone – defending champion, SA Open winner, Olympian and Race to Dubai finalist – which raised expectations.

Kruyswijk began the round with a three-stroke lead, but double bogeyed the third hole and was instantly co-leader. Instead of crumbling, he rose to the occasion and birdied three of the next four holes to turn in 34 strokes.

‘I made a stupid mistake that cost me and to bounce back with a chip-in on the fourth was huge,’ he said.

‘Brandon is a great player and I’m pleased that I handled myself well today under that pressure. I’m feeling calm when I play, which is good.’

He added back-to-back birdies at 11 and 12, then parred his way through to 16, where a successful up-and-down for birdie from the greenside bunker took him to 16 under par.

Kruyswijk can forgive the bogey he made at 18, a flat end to an otherwise exceptional round under pressure and in trying conditions.

Justin Harding smiled throughout his round of 68, which is a dangerous sign for his rivals. The five-time Sunshine Tour winner hails from Stellenbosch and knows the coastal wind all too well. He was glad to reach Sunday with a chance to contend.

‘I was trying to get it going around here today and I managed my ball well. One bogey today, so I was happy with that. I’m into the final pairing and that’s fun. I’m not the leader, but I’d say job well done so far,’ he said.