South African Tim Clark moved himself into position to reclaim the SAA Open title here at the Royal Durban Country Club today, taking a two-shot lead over the rest of the field as the tournament drew to a close.
Clark fired two more birdies on the front nine to move ahead of his compatriots while Ryder Cup star David Howell was looking for a strong back nine to lay a firm challenge.
Clark, who grew up on the course and won the title in 2002 when it was last held at this venue, posted a bogey-free front nine and will take some beating this afternoon.
But Howell, who warned yesterday that he was "going to give it a go" is two behind and has every opportunity to take the tournament to the South African this afternoon.
Overnight leader Titch Moore was also hanging in on nine under, while the two other South Africans at the top of the leaderboard overnight struggled in early play.
Tjaart van der Walt was one further back alongside South African James Kingston while England's Nick Dougherty stormed back with a 66 to be on eight under as well.
Hendrik Buhrmann dropped off the lead early with three bogeys in the first five holes and looks out of contention for the title, as has English chaser Graeme Storm, who also fell back to seven under and Neil Cheetham, who is on five under.
Ireland's Darren Clarke was also on song, although unlikely to make an impact on the title, as he negotiated the front nine four under and was seven under for the tournament with three holes still to play.