DEFENDING CHAMPION LEE Westwood shot a 10-under round of 62 on Saturday to take a seven-shot lead at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
The world number three Westwood produced the best round under normal rules at the Sun City tournament, reeling off 10 birdies for a 16-under 200 at the $5 million invitational event.
After Padraig Harrington’s 61 in 2001 — when players were allowed to clean and place their ball because of wet weather — Westwood’s performance was the lowest score in the 30 years of the Nedbank Challenge.
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The Englishman picked up eight shots on overnight leader Graeme McDowell (70), who shared second at 9 under with Robert Karlsson (69).
Westwood didn’t drop a shot in a third-round performance that topped the second-round 64 he shot here last year to set up an eight-stroke win. He left the top-ranked player, world number four Martin Kaymer, two current major champions and one former major winner all trailing in his wake.
“If you ask me now (about) the poor shots I hit in the round, I probably could not tell you one,” Westwood said. “I hit it over the flag or right where I was aiming all day. It was as good as I’ve played in a long time.”
McDowell — the 2010 U.S. Open winner — had an eagle, three birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey to share second with Karlsson, who carded his third straight 69 at Gary Player Country Club.
American Jason Dufner returned a 70 after dropping a shot on 18. The Nedbank Challenge rookie was tied for fourth with Kaymer, who also shot 70 with five birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey.
But none of the 12-man field — which also features top-ranked Luke Donald, Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and British Open winner Darren Clarke — could come close to the consistent brilliance of Westwood.
“It is great that it is a strong field this week, but you do not go in thinking about that at the start of the week,” Westwood said. “I enjoy playing this golf course. It is one of my favorites and you get what you deserve. It all went to plan.”
Donald was unable to launch a challenge as he was pulled back by bogeys early and late in his round to go with four birdies. He shot 70 for a 5-under 211 for eighth place, 11 shots off the pace.
South Korea’s Kyung-tae Kim and South African Schwartzel shared sixth at 6 under, a shot ahead of Donald. England’s Simon Dyson (75) Denmark’s Anders Hansen (77) and Clarke, who shot 76 after a 69 on Friday, dropped to three over.
Westwood well ahead of McDowell, Karlsson in South Africa
DEFENDING CHAMPION LEE Westwood shot a 10-under round of 62 on Saturday to take a seven-shot lead at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
The world number three Westwood produced the best round under normal rules at the Sun City tournament, reeling off 10 birdies for a 16-under 200 at the $5 million invitational event.
After Padraig Harrington’s 61 in 2001 — when players were allowed to clean and place their ball because of wet weather — Westwood’s performance was the lowest score in the 30 years of the Nedbank Challenge.
The Englishman picked up eight shots on overnight leader Graeme McDowell (70), who shared second at 9 under with Robert Karlsson (69).
Westwood didn’t drop a shot in a third-round performance that topped the second-round 64 he shot here last year to set up an eight-stroke win. He left the top-ranked player, world number four Martin Kaymer, two current major champions and one former major winner all trailing in his wake.
McDowell — the 2010 U.S. Open winner — had an eagle, three birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey to share second with Karlsson, who carded his third straight 69 at Gary Player Country Club.
American Jason Dufner returned a 70 after dropping a shot on 18. The Nedbank Challenge rookie was tied for fourth with Kaymer, who also shot 70 with five birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey.
But none of the 12-man field — which also features top-ranked Luke Donald, Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and British Open winner Darren Clarke — could come close to the consistent brilliance of Westwood.
Donald was unable to launch a challenge as he was pulled back by bogeys early and late in his round to go with four birdies. He shot 70 for a 5-under 211 for eighth place, 11 shots off the pace.
South Korea’s Kyung-tae Kim and South African Schwartzel shared sixth at 6 under, a shot ahead of Donald. England’s Simon Dyson (75) Denmark’s Anders Hansen (77) and Clarke, who shot 76 after a 69 on Friday, dropped to three over.
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Graeme McDowell Lee Westwood Nedbank Golf Challenge Padraig Harrington Robert Karlsson Untouchable