Max Homa takes one shot lead into final round of 2023 NGC

American Max Homa will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City on Sunday after shooting a three under par 69 in his third round on Saturday.

Homa shared the lead with at least one other player after rounds one and two, but will start his last 18 holes as the sole leader.

The US Ryder Cup player recorded scores of 66 and 68 on Thursday and Friday respectively and is at 13 under par, one shot ahead of France Matthieu Pavon, who went round the Gary Player Country Club in 70 shots on Saturday.

Just two shots off the pace are the pair from Denmark, Nicolai Hojgaard and Thorbjorn Olesen, on 11 under par and at 10 under par and still in with a shout is England’s Dan Bradbury.

It was another tough day of scoring on the Pilanesberg layout with England’s Matthew Baldwin’s 67 the low round of the day.

Max Homa’s round

The 32-year-old Homa, whose name has been at the top of the leaderboard since day one, fell somewhat off the pace during his round, as Pavon at one stage opened up a two shot lead after making three birdies in his first seven holes. He would make two more birdies, but also three bogeys.

Homa made a bogey at the par three fourth but then birdied the next hole to go out in 36 shots. He then eagled the par five 10th and birdied the par five 14th.

SA challenge

Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood is in a tie for eighth on seven under par while Homa’s fellow American Justin Thomas is in a tie for 10th on six under par.

South Africa’s challenge is all but over after the best-placed local player, Hennie du Plessis, experienced a nightmare middle and end to his round after one stage being right in the mix.

The 27-year-old started well with birdies at two, three and five, but then bogeyed seven, eight, 13, 14 and 16 to record a round of two over par 74. He is in a tie for 16th place at five under par.

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