Oosthuizen leads after three rounds at Trophee Hassan II

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RABAT, Morocco (AP) -- Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa closed in on his maiden European Tour title after shooting a 9-under 64 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Trophee Hassan II.

Oosthuizen had five birdies on the front nine and five more back to the clubhouse to go with a single bogey on the 17th. Overnight leader Rhys Davies of Wales had seven birdies in his round of 68 to sit in second place.

"I felt like I hit the ball well. I hit it further with most of my clubs and my putting was good again," Oosthuizen said. "Nice to have 10 birdies on my card, that doesn't happen every day."

Frenchman Thomas Levet (68) and South Africa's Thomas Aiken (67) were four shots back in a tie for third.

Oosthuizen heads into Sunday's final round on the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam course with a 20-under total of 198.

"I can be hot and cold with the putter but I am finding more consistency in the greens now and reading the putts better," the 27-year-old Oosthuizen said. "I am very happy with such a strong position. I haven't done a lot going in with a lead before but I am playing well enough."

Davies, who tied for third in the Malaysian Open this month, feels he is in good enough form to upset Oosthuizen's plans.

"This is my second week on the bounce of being right in the mix and I'm enjoying it," Davies said. "It's good to be at the top and good to be playing with these top-class players and trying to beat them."

Ignacio Garrido of Spain finished the day one stroke behind Aiken and Levet after a round of 69, while Danny Willett of England matched Oosthuizen's 64 to climb up the leaderboard, one behind Garrido.

"I've been playing well for a few weeks now and everything went my way today," Willett said.