Local Fichardt moves into lead

Local player Darren Fichardt moved into a one-stroke lead in the South African Open on Saturday as early season rustiness continued to plague the pre-tournament favourites.

Fichardt, joint leader overnight, hit a five-under par 67 which included five birdies, one eagle and two dropped shots to lead on 202 from fellow South African Des Terblanche by one stroke.

Briton Paul Eales, who shared the second round lead with Fichardt, had a 69 to fall back to third place and lead the European challenge at 12-under par.

Fichardt and Terblanche traded the lead for most of the second nine after Terblanche had carded four birdies from holes 10 to 13 but Fichardt birdied the 18th to move one stroke clear.

"I was putting very well and my gameplan of finding the fairways and greens came together today," Fichardt said.

His eagle on the par-five fifth hole came when he sank a sand wedge from 115 yards.

"I'm feeling good and I told my wife we're packing our bags and going to Europe for the European Tour," Fichardt said, predicting that he would gain European exemption by winning.

Fichardt said many of the favourites were battling after a long lay-off.

"Guys like (Lee) Westwood and company haven't played for six weeks so I suppose it's taking them some time to get back into the swing of things," he said.

Briton Westwood, who looked set to make a charge after his 68 on Friday, was disappointing on Saturday and carded a level-par 72 to lie seven shots off the lead.

South African Retief Goosen, who finished fifth on the European Tour moneylist last year, was best placed of the big names on 207 after a five-under 67.

Former world number one Nick Price of Zimbabwe also made a charge up the board to finish on eight-under after a 67.

The biggest mover of the day was England's John Mellor who shot a course record nine-under 63 that included eight birdies, an eagle and one dropped shot to go from last of those who made the cut to joint fourth place.

The 29-year-old from Sheffield was first off in the morning and took advantage of the newly-cut greens. His eagle came at the par-four 14th when he sank a four-iron from 200 yards.

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