The chances of a home winner at the Johannesburg Open increased significantly on Saturday after two blistering third rounds secured the lead for two local-born players.
A nine-under-par 63 from Thomas Aiken and an eight-under from Justin Walters left the two South Africans a couple of shots clear of the rest of the field on 17-under with one round to go.
Walters was off to a flying start when he birdied the first three holes. But that was just the start from the 33-year-old, who secured four more birdies, the last a 40 footer.
But his round was more than matched by Aiken, 30, who carded eight birdies and just one bogey in the first 15 holes.
The South African pair are two ahead of South Korea's Jin Jeong, who's good form at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club continued.
He posted a six under 66, to go alongside a 65 and a 69 earlier this week, to finish on fifteen under for the first three rounds.
A shot further back is Finland's Roope Kakko who shot a 67 on Saturday.
The overnight joint leader Edoardo Molinari could only manage a level par round leaving him six shots off the lead.
But that was better than the other co-leader at the start of play, Scotland's Craig Lee, managed. He shot a two over 74, to finish eight strokes off the lead.
The field were playing on the East Course. During the first two rounds the field had also played on the West Course.
The winner of the Joburg Open will take home 206,050 ($A315,000) and one of three automatic qualifications for the British Open.
