Grace, Finch lead in Joburg
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Branden Grace and Richard Finch are tied at the top after the Joburg Open third round was cut short due to bad weather on Saturday.
South African Grace and Englishman Finch are at 15-under at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, where the weather again caused disruption for a third consecutive day.
The majority of the field was forced to complete their second rounds, which were also ended early by thunderstorms, on Saturday.
Several players - including the co-leaders - were yet to complete their third rounds when conditions were deemed too dangerous.
Daniel Gaunt, the only Australian to make the cut, is in a tie for 35th after his 73 left him at six under.
Earlier, local hope and world number nine Charl Schwartzel, who was eyeing a third straight title, narrowly missed the cut when he finished at two under at the midway point.
South African George Coetzee is at 14-under and is yet to complete his third round, while Canadian Andrew Parr and local Dawie Van Der Walt - who have finished their respective rounds - are at 12-under alongside Jbe Kruger.
Finch had played just six holes of his second round on the East Course, but he carded a second consecutive 66 to share the lead with Robert Rock and Coetzee.
His interrupted third round was inconsistent, holing an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys through 14 holes before he was forced off.
The weather ruined what was turning out to be a fantastic finish from Grace, who went bogey-free through 15 holes and finished the day with three consecutive birdies.