Pilkadaris battles to stay in hunt in Joburg Open

Australian Terry Pilkadaris was battling to stay in contention in the inaugural Joburg Open on Saturday before bad weather suspended the third round.

Starting in tied 10th place, the three-time Asian Tour winner dropped four shots in his opening five holes before rallying with two birdies on the sixth and ninth hole to turn in 38.

His eight-under-par total was four strokes behind leader Ariel Canete of Argentina. South African Keith Horne completed a third round 69 for a seven-under-par total while overnight leader dropped down the leaderboard after playing his first seven holes of the third round in four-over-par.

Kingston, who is now on seven-under-par, stumbled with two bogeys and one double bogey with organisers suspended play for the day.

On the US PGA Tour, Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju slipped 10 spots to joint 12th position at the halfway stage after a one-over-par 71 at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Friday. His five-under-par 135 total was six strokes behind second round leaders Luke Donald and Paul Goydos.

Australian youngster Andrew Buckle leaped up the ranks when he fired a 66 in joint 16th place while compatriot Jarrod Lyle dropped to tied 49th after a 71.

Charlie Wi of Korea and Filipino Juvic Pagunsan shot matching 72s as they both missed the cut.

January 14, 2007