Trio top Sun City leaderboard

Argentina's Angel Cabrera triple-bogeyed the par-four 17th on his way to a two-over-par 74 and a three-way share of the lead after the Sun City Golf Challenge third round on Saturday.

Overnight pacesetter Cabrera failed to produce the brilliance of his course-record 64 at the difficult Gary Player Country Club on Friday before finishing a blustery day on seven-under-par 209.

"I hit the ball fairly well today, but two bad holes cost me five shots," Cabrera, 36, told reporters.

"I'll try to forget about what happened and put it behind me. I'm just grateful that I'm still in the lead. I'll try and act like it never happened."

Level with the big-hitting Argentine were South Africa's Tim Clark, who fired a 67, and Australia's Adam Scott, after a 68.

A further stroke back in a tie for fourth were world number four Retief Goosen, after a 71, and 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk, who returned a 72.

Britons Darren Clarke (76) and Luke Donald (75) fell back into a share of sixth at three-under 213.

Cabrera, two shots clear overnight, bogeyed the first and continued to struggle for accuracy with his driver on his way to an outward nine of 38.

He double-bogeyed the difficult par-four eighth, after mishitting two chips from the fringe of the green, and surrendered a three-shot lead at the 17th after finding water with his third shot.

PGA Tour player Clark raced to the turn in 32 and added two more birdies at the par-four 11th and par-three 12th to join Cabrera briefly at eight under.

However, the South African's blistering run ended at the par-five 14th where he found bushes in a waste bunker before he parred the closing holes to stay at seven under.

"I didn't hit too many wayward shots today and, when I did miss, I missed on the correct side of the hole," said Clark after returning the best round of the day.

"The wind was difficult out there and it seemed to be coming from every direction but I feel I have a good chance if it keeps blowing.

"I like playing in the wind but, if it's calm tomorrow, guys like Retief Goosen will have an advantage."

Scott experienced an up-and-down round that included five birdies and an eagle plus three bogeys.

"I also grew up in the wind and I feel I can play better in the wind and enjoy the tougher conditions," the 25-year-old Australian said.

World number five Ernie Els, playing his first tournament since the British Open in July following knee surgery, carded a 73 for a 54-hole total of 215.

December 4, 2005

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