Schwartzel The Prohibitive Favourite Despite a 3-Way Tie in Joburg

Charl Schwartzel shot his third straight round in the 60’s on Saturday, but didn’t end up separating himself from the other contenders and will head to final 18 tied with Thomas Aiken and Garth Mulroy at the Joburg Open.

Schwartzel didn’t throw away shots as he did on Friday instead struggling with the putter as he made four birdies on the day and just one tweeter on the back side.

The field’s highest ranked player simply couldn’t make a putt in round three posting 30 putts on the 16 greens he hit.

If Schwartzel can get the flat stick working Sunday, one would be inclined to say he would be a shoe in for victory, but that’s far from a done deal.

He’s struggled on Johaneesburg Golf Club’s East Course shooting 5-under over two rounds.  His main move came with a 61 on the West course, but it’s the East that will decide the tournament and, thus, it would be wise to consider the other contenders.

Regardless of his Eastern hardships, the bookmakers have essentially already given Schwartzel the trophy as they’ve got him at (5-6).

Co-leader Thomas Aiken, meanwhile, has been far better on the East this week and is 10-under over his two rounds played.

He’s ranked 132nd in the world, but Aiken seems to have figured out the East track and could prove a formidable opponent to Schwartzel. 

He bettered his fellow South African by a shot on Saturday and could easily have the upper hand Sunday as his comfort on the East course makes him a very viable pick.

The books look to have hedged with Aiken as they’ll send him out to the final round at (5-2).

The third member of the leading trio, Garth Mulroy, should have been given little chance going into yesterday, but the world’s 562nd ranked player hasn’t blinked against the likes of Schwartzel and Aiken.

He made three birdies on the back nine in round three.  That’s two more than either Schwartzel or Aiken and he’s been able to make up shots on the East’s final nine hole in both of his rounds.

His ability to make up ground late on what has been a tough stretch for most of the field could make him a factor if he’s in contention coming to the final holes.

It still could be expected that he’ll finally falter, but this hasn’t been the case as of yet and Mulroy just may be fitted for Cinderella’s slipper this week.

I would like to thank the press from the heart of my bottom   - Nick Faldo