Michael maintains lead going into Dunhill final round

text size

Little/Getty Images

Anthony Michael had an up-and-down start to Saturday's round but closed with two birdies on the back to keep the lead at the Dunhill Championship.

MALELANE, South Africa (AP) -- Anthony Michael took a one-shot lead into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship, shooting a 1-under 71 that kept him ahead of the chasing pack Saturday.

The South African was at 10-under 206 through 54 holes, one shot ahead of Pablo Martin of Spain and Tjaart van der Walt of South Africa in the European Tour event.

Michael had three bogeys and two birdies in his first nine at the Leopard Creek Country Club, but then went bogey-free while adding two birdies to keep the lead he has held for two rounds.

Martin, the defending champion, made two eagles in a 68.

No. 39-ranked Charl Schwartzel, the highest ranked player left in the tournament, shot a 69 to move to 7 under and was tied for fourth with fellow South African Alex Haindl.

Only former Ryder Cup player Phillip Price (68) of Wales avoided making a bogey on a course packed with challenging pin placements.

Michael had a shaky start to the third round in pursuit of his first professional win in his first season on South Africa's Sunshine Tour, which co-sanctions the event. He bogeyed two of his first three holes, and dropped another shot at No. 7, following a birdie at No. 5. But he steadied and made three more birdies to reach 10 under.

Martin had a birdie on his first two holes, and then eagles at Nos. 13 and 15. He fired a 3-wood over the lake at 15 that stopped 8 feet from the pin to set up his second eagle. He also had two bogeys.

Schwartzel, who won the Alfred Dunhill in 2004 and finished second here last year for the third time, also is in contention after picking up three shots Saturday to sit three off the lead. He had five birdies and two bogeys in his 69, while Haindl shot a 72 to drop from second into the tie for fourth.

Thomas Aiken had the day's best score, a 67 that left him five shots back alone in sixth and gave South Africa five of the top six spots.