Schwartzel shares Joburg lead after hole-in-one

By MIKE GREEN

Published January 10, 2009 at 11:12 a.m.
Updated January 10, 2009 at 7:25 p.m.

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — Charl Schwartzel of South Africa had a hole-in-one on his way to an 8-under 63 and a share of the Joburg Open lead after the third round on Saturday.

Schwartzel hit a 7-iron into the cup at the 205-yard 12th on the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club's East Course, atoning for his double-bogey 6 at No. 11.

"My last hole-in-one was in July 1998 when I was 13 years old," Schwartzel said. "I pitched it short and landed in the hole, so that was really nice."

Schwartzel's 11-under 202 total tied him with South Africa's Andrew McLardy and Scotland's David Drysdale, the overnight leader.

McLardy scrapped his way to a 69, while Drysdale birdied the 18th for a 71.

Retief Goosen had six birdies for a 65 to join Sweden's Joakim Haeggman (66) and Norway's Anders Hansen (64) one shot back in a tie for fourth after a round that included two weather delays.

"I was a bit far behind, especially after the first round when I had a terrible start," Hansen said. "But I got myself back into the tournament so we'll see what's going to happen."

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