All four South Africans who made the cut failed to kick on as they finished over par during the third round of the French Open on Saturday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
American Peter Uihlein almost stole the lead outright, despite a wayward drive at the last. His third playing over the water into the par 4’s green safely avoided the water, pitched and spun towards the hole before lipping out. He tapped in for par to share the lead with fellow Alexander Bjork – who shot a one under 71 – to move from third overnight to a share of the lead going into Sunday.
One shot back is a pair of Ryder Cup golfers – Thomas Pieters and Andy Sullivan – and US Open contender Tommy Fleetwood. The trio showed their class with rounds of 71, 69 and 68 respectively.
Haydn Porteous remains the best-placed South African, despite a 73 on moving day. The 22-year-old dropped ten places, but it could’ve been much worse had it not been for a steady back nine. Porteous made the turn in three over 39, following bogeys at 2, 4, 7 and 9 on a day that was admittedly very difficult for scoring, especially for the early starters.
The 2016 Joburg Open champ made birdies at 12 and 13, before giving one back at the 15th to return in 34 and finish -1 after 54 holes.
Next best from a local perspective, is Thomas Aiken who is one behind Porteous after matching his 73. Like his countryman, he turned in 39 with three front-nine bogeys, but then got all three back with birdies at 10, 11 and 12. He would bogey 13 and 17 to finish his round two over par.
Richard Sterne did not make a single birdie, and with three bogeys finds himself in a share of 50th place, with Trevor Fisher Jnr the remaining South African in the field. Fisher Jnr is +4 after a 76 on Saturday that included two double drops.
Only eight players went below 70 on a day – and none of the top 10 broke par on the front nine – where the overnight leaders failed to drive a wedge between themselves and the chasing pack, setting up a dramatic finale at Le Golf National.
Photo: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
