Wallie Coetsee takes two-shot lead into final round of Joburg Open

World number 509 Wallie Coetsee, who has recorded one top-10 finish in 37 European Tour events, will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Joburg Open on Sunday.

A third round of 70 was surprisingly enough for Coetsee to double his overnight advantage on a crowded leaderboard at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.

The 42-year-old South African three-putted the par-five first for par and the fourth for a bogey, but recovered to birdie the ninth and then card a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th after another dropped shot on the 10th.

A bogey on the 16th reduced Coetsee’s lead to a single shot before a superb pitch to the 18th set up a closing birdie.

“The first tee shot there were no nerves, the six iron into the middle of the green there were no nerves, but once I grabbed that putter there was no feel,” Coetsee admitted. “I three-putted but after that there were no nerves.

“You need to keep a positive mind, me and my caddie are enjoying it out there and hopefully we can tomorrow.

“There is a lot at stake, more than you can think of, but it’s just a game at the end of the day. Last night I only slept for about four hours but tonight I think I’m going to have a lot of sleep.”

At 14 under par Coetsee was two ahead of compatriots Jacques Blaauw and Tjaart van der Walt, as well as English duo Steve Webster and David Howell.

Webster carded a flawless 65 to charge through the field, while Howell carded five birdies and one bogey in his 68.

Webster missed the cut in this event last year and was then ruled out for the next four months of the season after undergoing a wrist operation, and has made just one cut in three events in 2015.

“I made a good birdie at the first and a good save at the second and just got on a bit of a roll,” Webster said. “I missed three or four 12-footers which was frustrating but there was a lot of really good golf today.

“I gave myself a lot of chances and that’s what my game is all about.”

The top 14 places featured eight South Africans and six Englishmen, with defending champion George Coetzee and South African Open winner Andy Sullivan among a nine-strong group on 11 under.

Howell has made just one halfway cut in four events in 2015 and said: “The season’s got off to a slow start so I came down here for three weeks and so far so good.

“I’ve had a couple of bad swings each day but apart from that it’s been pretty good. You have to keep your foot down and keep making the birdies and obviously stay away from the mistakes. I’ve had one big score with a seven yesterday but played some good golf between that.

"I started with a new coach, Justin Parsons, a few weeks ago, just working on my rhythm. I am trying to swing the club as slowly as I have in my whole life and that's a real challenge to bring that to the course.

“I am delighted with how I’ve done that so far this week, it’s getting better by the day and hopefully that bodes well for tomorrow and future weeks coming up.”

Waterford's Kevin Phelan failed to make a big move in his third round as he carded a one-under 71 to move to nine under and a share of 16th position.