Aiken, former caddie share lead at African Open

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EAST LONDON, South Africa (AP) -- Thomas Aiken shot a 4-under 69 Saturday to share the lead after the third round of the Africa Open with Trevor Fisher Jr., who caddied for him in last year's World Golf Championships-CA Championship on the PGA TOUR.

Fisher Jr. (71) and Aiken are at 16-under 203 at East London Golf Club to lead Jbe' Kruger (67) by a stroke. Jake Roos (66) and Charl Schwartzel (68) are two strokes back.

Aiken had an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys to move from a tie for third, while Fisher Jr. made four birdies and two bogeys after being the second-round leader.

"I had a bit of a stomach bug during the night and I didn't sleep well," Fisher Jr. said. "I also had some hot flushes before I teed off, so I lay down for a bit in the car. But maybe it was good for me, because I was pretty relaxed out there.

"I think Thomas and I will relax each other (in the final round)."

Aiken finished seventh in the World Golf Championships-CA Championship with Fisher Jr. carrying his clubs.

"That was a turning point in my career," Aiken said.

Aiken went eagle-bogey-birdie in the first three holes before making nine straight pars. A run of three straight birdies from the 15th brought what he called his best shot of the day.

"I hit a 6-iron off the 17th to two feet, and that was a good shot off an elevated tee into the wind," Aiken said. "It was a pretty daunting shot."

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke had a triple-bogey on the last hole to shoot a 71, seven strokes behind the leaders.