Stuart Manley takes lead in Hong Kong after third round

Stuart Manley of Wales put himself in position for a first European Tour title by shooting a 4-under 66 Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round at the Hong Kong Open.

Manley made the most of benign conditions at the Hong Kong Golf Club to roll in six birdies mixed with two bogeys for a total of 10-under 200.

Wade Ormsby of Australia and Shiv Kapur of India both shot 66 as well to sit tied for a second, while defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (65) was among a trio of players a further stroke back.

Manley has never finished better than ninth on the European Tour, and the most notable moment of his career so far came last month at the World Cup of golf when he followed up a hole-in-one by making 11 on the next hole.

He was a lot more consistent on Saturday, and knows he needs to keep that up to close out the victory.

"I will use the same approach tomorrow. I not going to change anything," the Welshman said. "I have nothing to lose. I will go out there and get it done."

His only mishap this time came on the 16th when his approach shot hit a sprinkler head and the ball bounced away from the hole. He ended up collecting his second bogey for the day.

"That was a stiff one to take and very disappointing but the good thing is that I bounced straight back with a birdie on the 17th," Manley said.

Overnight leader Jbe Kruger on South Africa only managed a 73 after four bogeys and a double bogey and plummeted down the leaderboard to a tie for 21st.

In contrast, Kapur managed to stay bogey free to put himself in contention.

"I stayed patient and I was rewarded for it. Today was all about putting myself into position," Kapur said.

Jimenez is a three-time champion in Hong Kong and made seven birdies mixed with a double-bogey on the 15th.

"I'm hitting the ball well and I'm just a couple of shots behind and in in the right place," Jimenez said.

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Jamie Donaldson shoots 67, keeps 3-shot lead in Sun City

Jamie Donaldson maintained his three-shot lead through the third round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Saturday, putting the Welshman in sight of his biggest career payday in his Sun City debut.

The Welshman had six birdies and a single bogey on No. 17 in a 5-under 67 to stay ahead of Ryan Moore of the United States (67) and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark (66). Donaldson had a 16-under total of 200.

Henrik Stenson, playing his first tournament since clinching the European money title last month to go with his FedEx Cup, was five shots back after a 69, tied with Sergio Garcia (66) and Thongchai Jaidee (66).

Donaldson had his birdies in twos at the Gary Player Country Club, with back-to-back gains on Nos. 4 and 5, 10 and 11, and 14 and 15 for a good chance at the $1.25 million winner's check at the newly instated European Tour event. He last played the course nearly 20 years ago.

"Every win is special, this would be just a little bit more special," he said.

Moore, also in his Sun City debut, had five birdies in a bogey-free 67. He's attempting to become the first rookie winner at the Nedbank since Zimbabwe's Mark McNulty in 1986.

Ernie Els struggled to a 77 after hearing before the third round that his former psychological coach Jos Vanstiphout had died. Els said it was "another very sad day" for him after the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela on Thursday.

Bjorn opened his back nine with an eagle and a birdie, but had a bogey on the par-5 No. 14 to slip back again before finishing with his fifth birdie.

Former Sun City winner Stenson recovered from a 7 on No. 9, when the No. 3-ranked Swede twice hit the water. He made birdie four holes to stay in contention.

Garcia rallied after a 73 on Friday, making six birdies and an eagle on No. 13 to counter two bogeys.

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Phatlum claims Dubai title

Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum claimed the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters title in brilliant fashion on Saturday, edging out world number three Stacy Lewis in a final-round duel.

British Open winner Lewis began the day with a two-shot lead and led by three when she birdied the second, third, eighth and 10th to improve to 15 under par.

Phatlum reduced the gap with birdies on the 13th and 14th but Lewis looked to have struck a decisive blow when she hit her approach to the 17th to five feet.

However, Phatlum's second shot was even better and after Lewis had missed, the 24-year-old holed for birdie to draw level before an even better approach to the par-five 18th left her a tap-in birdie to complete a superb 66 and seal victory.

Lewis had missed from long range to force a play-off and had to settle for a closing 69, with Spain's Carlota Ciganda a distant third, seven shots adrift.

English teenager Charley Hull finished in a tie for eighth place to secure rookie of the year honours on the Ladies European Tour.

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Hong Kong Open

Wales' Stuart Manley will take a slender lead into the final round of the Hong Kong Open as he looks to cap an eventful few weeks with a first European Tour title.

Manley carded a third round of 66 in Fanling to finish 10 under par, one shot ahead of Australia's Wade Ormsby and India's Shiv Kapur, with defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez, fellow Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara and England's Steve Webster another shot back.

"Pretty much from the first hole onwards, every iron shot was right down the pin," said Manley, who fired six birdies and two bogeys.

"If it had been a good day on the greens it could have been a really low round, so it was disappointing not to capitalise, but I feel very confident the way I'm playing and I'm really excited about tomorrow.

"I wanted to be leading after three rounds, and I wanted to be in the last group, so I'm delighted. There's a lot of golf left, but winning would mean the world."

Despite only securing his card via the qualifying school last month, world number 275 Manley represented Wales in the World Cup in Melbourne the following week and hit the headlines when he followed a hole-in-one in the third round with an 11 on the next hole.

To make matters worse, Manley was then told the car he thought he had won for his ace was only on offer in the final round, but the 34-year-old did at least go on to finish joint eighth in the individual event.

Starting today one behind South African Jbe Kruger, Manley went to the turn in 32 and picked up further shots at the 10th and 13th, before missing short birdie putts on the next two holes.

He then suffered a stroke of bad luck on the 16th, when his approach to the par four hit a sprinkler head on the edge of the green and bounced around 60ft beyond the pin.

"I was really unlucky on the 16th, when I landed the ball in the perfect position but it hit the sprinkler and went to the back of the green," Manley added. "That was disappointing, but I was pleased to get back to 10 under with a birdie at the 17th."

Ormsby and Kapur matched Manley's 66 to lie nine under, while Jimenez, Lara and Webster all returned rounds of 65, the joint lowest score of the day.

Jimenez became the oldest winner in European Tour history when he triumphed here last year and is seeking a record-equalling fourth win in the event with his 50th birthday less than a month away.

"I hope I can keep hitting the ball the way I'm hitting it and knock in some putts to get the victory here, I would love it," said Jimenez, who carded seven birdies and one double bogey. "I love this golf course."

Sweden's Joel Sjoholm, who was almost disqualified from the tournament before his first round, also carded a 65 to finish three shots behind Manley on seven under.

Sjoholm overslept on Thursday morning and only arrived on the first tee with moments to spare before his tee time, having to play the first hole without his golf shoes.

The 28-year-old, who lost his European Tour card at the end of the 2013 season, said: "I'm pretty excited to be where I am right now.

"Whatever happens tomorrow it's been a great week for me. It has been a struggle the whole year for me so hopefully I can have a good day tomorrow and bring myself back for 2014."

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Tiger Woods charges into lead

Tiger Woods stormed into the lead at his own Northwestern Mutual World Challenge tournament as a 10-under par second round of 62 put him two clear of overnight leader Zach Johnson.

Woods, who plays host at the Sherwood Country Club, took full advantage of the birdie opportunities that came his way to tie his own course record and move to 11 under par overall.

Behind him there were encouraging signs from Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, but compatriot Rory McIlroy had a day to forget with a five-over 77.

Woods' day-two efforts were a far cry from his opening round, which began with a bogey on the first before he made gains at five and 11. Twenty-four hours on Woods kicked off with a birdie at the first, repeating the trick on the second hole before further gains at five, seven and eight.

The birdies continued after the turn as he picked up shots at 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16, before a pair of pars finished off a blemish-free round.

Johnson looked in similarly sweet form as he birdied three of the first five holes, but he parred the next 12 there before picking up an extra stroke at the 18th to put him clear in second.

Matt Kuchar was a shot behind on eight under, while defending champion McDowell moved into fourth place, improving vastly on his level-par first round by going five under.

While four bogeys hampered him on Thursday, he was blemish-free second time around with five birdies moving him up the field, one clear of Bubba Watson.

Ian Poulter, four over after his first round, improved vastly as a 67 put him one under overall, but compatriot Lee Westwood was five over.

There was worse news still for McIlroy whose five-over 77 left him joint 16th in the 18-strong field.

The Northern Irishman struggled all day, with a double bogey at the fourth and further dropped shots at the eighth, 12th, 13th and 14th, but the low point came with a quadruple bogey at the 16th.

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Jamie Donaldson pulls clear at Nedbank Challenge in South Africa

Wales' Jamie Donaldson shrugged off an unfortunate penalty to take a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City.

Donaldson completed a first round of 67 on Friday morning, play resuming at 7:30am after being abandoned for the day on Thursday afternoon after a second thunderstorm hit the course.

That left the 38-year-old one shot behind Spain's Sergio Garcia, but a second round of 66 containing seven birdies and just one bogey took Donaldson to the top of the leaderboard.

The solitary dropped shot came on the par-five 10th after a front nine of 31, Donaldson finding a fairway bunker off the tee and hitting the lip of the bunker with his second shot.

Unluckily, the ball bounced back and hit the shaft of Donaldson's club as he followed through, sending the ball back into the sand and resulting in a one-shot penalty.

However, after hitting his fourth shot down the fairway, Donaldson fired a superb approach from 150 yards to within a few feet of the pin to limit the damage, before picking up further shots on the 13th and 14th.

European number one Henrik Stenson and American Ryan Moore share second place on eight under, Moore shooting the lowest round of the day with a 65 and Stenson returning a 67, with neither player dropping a shot.

Defending champion Martin Kaymer and Denmark's Thomas Bjorn are a shot further back, with Garcia dropping back to five-under after struggling to a 73.

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Zach Johnson hits purple patch to lead in California

Zach Johnson finished day one of the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge five-under-par to lead by one shot in California.

Reigning champion Graeme McDowell was the leading overseas challenger at level par, alongside Jim Furyk and one clear of fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy.

Johnson hit a purple patch with five birdies in seven holes from the 10th to finish the day one clear of Matt Kuchar, with only five of the 18-strong field under par for the day.

Johnson made a tremendous start at the Sherwood Country Club with birdies in his opening two holes and although he bogeyed the par-four seventh, he found a hot streak of form to ensure even a dropped shot at the last did not keep him off the top of the leaderboard.

McDowell is looking to continue his love affair with a tournament he has won twice and finished runner-up once in his only three appearances to date.

However, while McDowell matched Johnson's dream start, he was in rather more erratic form on Thursday with four birdies and four bogeys leaving him even for the day.

Kuchar's round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-five 11th, but he was hamstrung by three bogeys.

The other three men under par were also Americans – Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson at two under and, in his own tournament, Tiger Woods at one under.

It was not a great day for England's two entrants: Lee Westwood was two over par and Ian Poulter four over.

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Host Tiger Woods leads at World Challenge

Tiger Woods stormed into the lead at his own Northwestern Mutual World Challenge tournament as Graeme McDowell moved up to fourth.

Woods, who plays host at the Sherwood Country Club in California, took full advantage of the birdie opportunities that came his way to tie his own course record. 

A 10-under-par second round of 62 put him two clear of overnight leader Zach Johnson and on 11-under-par overall.

Behind him there were encouraging signs from Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, but Rory McIlroy had a day to forget with a five-over 77.

Defending champion Graeme McDowell, who also triumphed in 2010, carded a five-birdie 67 to end the second round alone in fourth, six shots off the pace.

McIlroy’s 77 left him joint 16th in the 18-strong field.

The Northern Irishman struggled all day, with a double bogey at the fourth and further dropped shots at the eighth, 12th, 13th and 14th, but the low point came with a quadruple-bogey at the 16th.

Woods' day-two efforts were a far cry from his opening round, which began with a bogey on the first before he made gains at five and 11.

Twenty-four hours on Woods kicked off with a birdie at the first, repeating the trick on the second hole before further gains at five, seven and eight.

The birdies continued after the turn as he picked up shots at 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16, before a pair of pars finished off a blemish-free round.

Johnson looked in similarly sweet form as he birdied three of the first five holes, but he parred the next 12 there before picking up an extra stroke at the 18th to put him clear in second. Matt Kuchar was a shot behind on eight under.

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Jamie Donaldson closes in on Nedbank Challenge crown

Four birdies on the back nine saw Welshman Jamie Donaldson maintain his three stroke lead at the Nedbank Golf Challenge with one round to play. 

The 38-year-old, chasing his biggest single payday yet at the $6.5-million event, kept up Friday's momentum as he returned a third-round score of 67 for a 16-under-par total of 200.

He might have had a more comfortable lead in search of the $1.25-million first prize, had he not bogeyed the 17th at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa. 

"I was in between clubs and it put me in trouble but in the end I came out with a good five. I'm still in a strong position and I've got to go out there tomorrow and play really good golf," he said.

"It's a tough field, a lead of three doesn't mean much among these guys." 

Donaldson leads from Thomas Bjorn of Denmark and American Ryan Moore, who are 13-under-par. 

Bjorn played one of the best rounds of the day, birdying the 18th for a second successive day to finish with a 66. 

Moore followed a second-round 65 with a 67 on Saturday, with five birdies in a bogey-free round.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand both matched Bjorn's 66 to go 11-under, along with world number three Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who hit a double bogey at the par-five ninth to finish with a 69.

For three-time winner Ernie Els, making a record 18th appearance at the tournament called 'Africa's major', a triple bogey early in his round saw him finish with a 77 for a seven-over total that leaves him tie bottom of the elite 30-man field.

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Wales' Stuart Manley edges ahead at Hong Kong Open

Wales' Stuart Manley will take a slender lead into the final round of the Hong Kong Open with Ireland’s David Higgins nine shots back.

Manley carded a third round of 66 in Fanling to finish 10-under-par, one shot ahead of Australia's Wade Ormsby and India's Shiv Kapur, with defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez, fellow Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara and England's Steve Webster another shot back.

Higgins had stormed into the lead with sizzling 64 on Thursday but plummeted down the field after a disastrous four-over-par 74 on Friday.

The Waterville man improved today with 71 but it was a topsy-turvy round that included two birdies, two bogeys, a double-bogey on the 10th and an eagle on the par-five 13th.

He is in an eight-way tie for 42nd place on one-under-par overall.

Meanwhile, Manley is chasing his first European Tour title despite only securing his card via the qualifying school last month.

Ormsby and Kapur matched Manley's 66 to lie nine-under, while Jimenez, Lara and Webster all returned rounds of 65, the joint lowest score of the day.

Jimenez became the oldest winner in European Tour history when he triumphed here last year and is seeking a record-equalling fourth win in the event with his 50th birthday less than a month away.

"I hope I can keep hitting the ball the way I'm hitting it and knock in some putts to get the victory here, I would love it," said Jimenez, who carded seven birdies and one double bogey. "I love this golf course."

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Tiger Woods wants to beat Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead records

Tiger Woods continues to have his sights set on overhauling two of the best records in golf - Jack Nicklaus' tally of 18 major titles and Sam Snead's total of 82 career wins on the PGA Tour.

Woods will turn 38 at the end of the month and is still four majors behind Nicklaus, while trailing Snead's milestone by just three.

Injuries and his much-publicised private life issues cost Woods some significant time out of the action, but he has been getting back to business and this year claimed five victories on the PGA Tour despite not winning a major.

As the major drought continues, that magic 18 set by the Golden Bear looks further and further away, but Woods is determined to eclipse that mark.

As he prepares to host his own event in California, the world No 1 says he is still very much looking to become golf's most successful player of all-time, but admits beating Snead's tally is a much easier task than his major aim.

Major drought

"Unfortunately I didn't win a major championship this year, I was close in the Masters and the British and a couple of little swings here and there it could have been a different story," Woods told Sky Sports.

"I won the Players Championship this year, which is a venue I've struggled on certainly over the years but I managed to put it together there.

"The easier goal is going to be getting to Sam's record - you could get to there basically by playing the first three events of the year and win three in a row.

"But the major championships are a bit more spread out in April, June and July so it's certainly much harder to get to Jack's number than it will be to get to Sam's number.

"But both of them I think are significant numbers, significant milestones and hopefully one day in my career I'll be able to surpass both of them."

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Tiger Woods remembers the aura of meeting Nelson Mandela

Tiger Woods has described Nelson Mandela as an inspiration as he joined the worldwide sporting tributes to the former South African president.

The 14-time major winner fondly remembers being invited to Mandela's home for lunch in 1998, the year after he became the first African-American to win the Masters at Augusta.

Woods admitted the occasion was one of the outstanding highlights of his career, and he was stunned by Mandela's lack of bitterness following 27 years of imprisonment.

"I don't think any of us probably here could have survived that and come out as humble and as dignified as he did," said Woods after his opening round at the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge in California, where he is the tournament host.

We pay tribute to Nelson Mandela

"To lead an entire nation and to basically love the world when he came out, I think that's a testament to his will and his spirit and who he was.

"That time frame when he came out (of prison), the country could have fallen apart. It could have gone a lot of different ways, and he led it to where it's at now, and the world is going to miss him.

"It's a sad day for many people around the world. He certainly had an impact on my life and certainly my father. He invited us to his home, and it was one of the inspiring times I've ever had in my life."

Message

Woods also added a message on his Twitter account, which read: "Pop & I felt your aura went we met, I feel it today & I will feel it forever. You have done so much for humanity. You will always be in my heart Mr. Mandela."

His views were shared by PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem as well as a host of fellow players.

Finchem said: "We share the world's mourning of Nelson Mandela's death.

"We had the honor and privilege of meeting Mr Mandela during The Presidents Cup in 2003 when he attended the opening ceremony and graciously made himself available to meet individually with the players.

"It was a memorable week and his mere presence helped elevate the stature of the event. We truly feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet such a great man."

Two-time Open champion Greg Norman added: "My thoughts & prayers go out to Pres Nelson Mandela's family on his passing today. One of the greatest humans I ever had privilege to meet."

Ian Poulter wrote: "Just heard that Nelson Mandela has passed away. Really sad news. Madiba May you rest in peace. What an inspirational man."

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Hong Kong Open: Jbe Kruger pays Nelson Mandela tribute when taking Fanling lead

Jbe Kruger produced a flying back nine at Fanling to grab a one-shot lead at the midway point of the Hong Kong Open.

The South African paid tribute to the late Nelson Mandela after he came home in just 30 shots to close on seven-under after two rounds for a one-shot lead.

After the death of Mandela it was perhaps apt that a South African should take the lead and Kruger's four-under round of 66 made sure it was him on top of the leaderboard.

Second round leaderboard:

(GB & Ire unless stated)

-7 J Kruger (Rsa)

-6 S Manley

-5 A Cejka (Ger)

-5 W Ormsby (Aus)

-5 S Kapur (Ind)

The 27-year-old was two-over for his round at the turn as he finished the nine holes in 36, but six birdies in seven holes helped fire him up the leaderboard to lead by a shot over Welshman Stuart Manley.

"I played well, I probably swung it the best I've swung it in a long time," said Kruger. "I'm excited and I'm playing better for a change."

Manley recorded a second successive 67, with six birdies and three bogeys, to close on six under and ensure he plays with the leader in the third round.

Challengers

Three men sit just one shot further back with Wade Ormsby, Shiv Kapur and Alex Cejka all on five under after rounds of 68, 66 and 67 respectively.

"Overall I'm pleased," said Cejka, who is playing on a sponsor's invite and chasing a first title for 11 years. "I hit much better shots. It's a good feeling. I've had a couple of months off now so it's nice to come back and grind it out.

"I got a late call to this tournament so I wish I had practised a bit more at home, but I guess it's working what I'm doing right now.

"It's a long trip but so far it's worth it. I've got to do what I've been doing the last two days and if I have two more good rounds I'll take it."

Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez came flying back into contention for a fourth Hong Kong victory as he stormed to a six-under mark after a level-par first round 70.

However, three bogeys in his last six holes saw the Spaniard drop back to three-under for the tournament although he is just four shots back and still handily placed.

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Nedbank Golf Challenge: Sergio Garcia leads as first round concludes

Sergio Garcia moved into a slender lead when the delayed first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge was completed on a sombre morning in Sun City.

Players and fans alike in South Africa were understandably muted following Thursday night's news of the passing of Nelson Mandela.

Home favourites Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen led the tributes to the former South Africa president and both admitted that Friday would prove a difficult day for them.

First round leaderboard:

(Rsa unless stated)

-6 S Garcia (Spn)

-5 J Donaldson (Wal)

-5 G Fdez-Castano (Spn)

-5 T Bjorn (Den)

-4 L Donald (Eng)

-4 C Schwartzel

"It is going to be a tough day for the whole country," Els said.

The players had returned early to finish off an opening round that had been curtailed by inclement weather on Thursday.

Garcia carded a six-under-par 66 to lead by one shot from fellow Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and Welshman Jamie Donaldson, with Luke Donald and local favourite Charl Schwartzel a shot further back.

Donald had led on five under after 11 holes when play was abandoned for the day on Thursday after a second thunderstorm hit the course, the former world No 1 having raced to the turn in 31 with an eagle and three birdies.

Resumption

The 35-year-old was unable to maintain such form when play resumed at 7.30am local time on Friday, the players observing a minute's silence and wearing black ribbons as a mark of respect.

A bogey on the 16th was Donald's only deviation from par, allowing Ryder Cup team-mate Garcia to take over at the top of the leaderboard thanks to a strong finish.

Garcia had been one-over-par after six holes, but picked up seven birdies in his next 11 holes to boost his chances of winning the title for a third time.

Garcia paid his own tribute to Mandela after finishing his first round, saying: "It's sad to lose Madiba, not only for South Africa, but for the world.

"He was such a great man and did so many great things for humanity. He was someone to look up to."

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Gary Player and Ernie Els mourn the death of Nelson Mandela

Gary Player and Ernie Els have led the tributes from the golfing world to Nelson Mandela following the death of the "iconic leader" at the age of 95.

Player was one of the top golfers in the world during the infamous apartheid era in his homeland, and he played a role in the campaign to release Mandela from prison.

The nine-time major winner said: "It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of our beloved Madiba, President Nelson Mandela.

"Nelson Mandela is one of the great heroes in my life and I believe he did more for our country than any other person in our history.

"As a proud South African, I am certain Mandela's legacy will endure in our nation and across the world as a figure of courage, value, spirit, and above all else, love.

We pay tribute to Nelson Mandela

"I commend him for all that he did over his 95 years. He was a courageous leader who fought for all that is right, and he possessed an aura that inspired people, and our nation, to change for the better.

"When I was a young man, I stated that Madiba should be released from prison, where he spent twenty-seven years. I was labelled a traitor, yet paid no mind.

"Time would prove that decision right. Moreover, time would prove how truly special he was after emerging from prison with no hatred or revenge. He was never broken, just empowered.

"Our nation enters into a time of mourning, but also a celebration of his great life and the spirit he instilled in our nation.

"May we all lovingly remember our truly remarkable former President and the father of our nation. Thank you, Madiba.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family."

Els tribute

Els is currently competing in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, where flags will be flown at half-mast for the remainder of the tournament.

"It is a very sad day," said Els, who won the first of his four majors a month after Mandela was elected South African president in 1994.

"A very sad day for South Africa and the world really. We have lost one of the iconic leaders of our time.

Tiger Woods says Mandela was inspirational

"You cannot say anything bad about the man. He fought for what he believed in, went to prison for so many years and came out to lead our country up until now.

"He was the father of our country and our continent. It's just very sad that he had to go.

"He was 95 and led a full life but a lot of that wasn't spent on what he was so good at because he was away for so many years.

"He always felt proud of what the sporting athletes out of South Africa did for the country, you know, winning worldwide events.

"He always felt very proud of that. When I won a lot of tournaments in the '90s and early part of the 2000s we spoke a lot on the telephone.

"Through that instance we had a really nice relationship. I haven't seen him for probably seven or eight years now. But we've always had a great relationship."

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Nedbank Golf Challenge: Jamie Donaldson leads by three in Sun City

Wales' Jamie Donaldson moved into a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, despite a penalty for hitting the ball twice at the 10th.

Donaldson completed a first round of 67 on Friday morning, play resuming at 7:30am after being abandoned for the day on Thursday afternoon after a second thunderstorm hit the course.

That left the 38-year-old one shot behind Spain's Sergio Garcia, but a second round of 66 containing seven birdies and just one bogey took Donaldson to the top of the leaderboard.

The solitary dropped shot came on the par-five 10th after a front nine of 31, Donaldson finding a fairway bunker off the tee and hitting the lip of the bunker with his second shot.

Second round leaderboard

GB & Ire unless stated

-11 J Donaldson

-8 J Moore (US)

-8 H Stenson (Swe)

-7 T Bjorn (Den)

-7 M Kaymer (Ger)

Unluckily, the ball bounced back and hit the shaft of Donaldson's club as he followed through, sending the ball back into the sand and resulting in a one-shot penalty.

However, after hitting his fourth shot down the fairway, Donaldson fired a superb approach from 150 yards to within a few feet of the pin to limit the damage, before picking up further shots on the 13th and 14th.

Bizarre

"These bizarre things happen and you just have to get on with it," said Donaldson, who won his second European Tour title in Abu Dhabi in January. "In the end it was a good six!

"I've played very nicely for the first two rounds and hit a lot of good shots so I am happy with the way I am playing. We had to play six holes of the first round and then back out after a 45-minute break for the second, so it's been a long day."

European No 1 Henrik Stenson and American Ryan Moore share second place on eight under, Moore shooting the lowest round of the day with a 65 and Stenson returning a 67, with neither player dropping a shot.

Defending champion Martin Kaymer and Denmark's Thomas Bjorn are a shot further back, with Garcia dropping back to five under after struggling to a 73.

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Lewis two clear of rivals after three rounds of Dubai Ladies Open

Stacy Lewis takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the Omega Dubai Ladies Open at The Emirates Golf Club on Saturday.

The American, who led by one going into the third day, posted three birdies and a bogey on her way to a two-under-par 70.

Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum, who trailed the Solheim Cup star by three overnight, signed for a 69 to claim sole possession of second place, three shots clear of Scotland's Vikki Laing and Diana Luna of Italy, who both matched Phatlum's score, and Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (73).

Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg, one behind Lewis at the start of the day, posted a 75 to drop back into a share of fifth spot alongside compatriot Louis Larsson (68), with veteran Laura Davies (71) a further stroke adrift.

England's Charley Hull (73) was forced to settle for a share of 11th place after a double bogey at nine, and a dropped shot at 12, cancelled out birdies at two of her opening five holes.

Meanwhile, South African Connie Chen ensured she would be leaving the Emirates with the keys to a gleaming new Mercedes E400 after sinking her six-iron tee-shot at the 160-yard 15th hole.

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Nelson Mandela Championship to start a day earlier than scheduled

Next week's Nelson Mandela Championship will go ahead, but will start a day earlier than scheduled, the European Tour have confirmed.

The Durban tournament will now start on Wednesday, December 11 to avoid the final round clashing with Mandela's state funeral on Sunday week.

Scott Jamieson won the inaugural event at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club last year, and the tournament will again benefit the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

A statement released by the European Tour read: "The Nelson Mandela Championship will go ahead next week as planned, but will start a day earlier and finish on Saturday, December 14.

"In recognition of the national period of mourning for the passing of former President Mr Nelson Mandela, provision will be made for observing the day of the state funeral for Mr Mandela which will take place on Sunday, December 15.

"This is during the originally scheduled playing days (from Thursday, December 12 - Sunday, December 15), so the tournament will start a day early, and in that way, the four rounds can be completed by the scheduled close of the event.

"The tournament with its unique trophy will again be co-sanctioned by The European and Sunshine Tours and will be the fourth of seven co-sanctioned events between the two governing bodies on The 2014 Race to Dubai.

"As with the inaugural event last year, won by Scotland's Scott Jamieson, the tournament will honour Mr Mandela's on-going charity work through the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund."

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Tiger stumps Sherwood rivals with magical 62

THOUSAND OAKS, California - Tiger Woods' closest challengers were left scratching their heads in disbelief after the world number one took control of the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge with a 10-under-par 62.

Five-times champion Woods played near-flawless golf on Friday in the second round of the tournament he hosts, equaling the course record he set at Sherwood Country Club in 2007 to end the day two shots clear.

His stunning 10-birdie 62 was five strokes better than the next-best score in an elite field of 18, Northern Ireland's defending champion Graeme McDowell and England's Ian Poulter both having carded 67s.

"Amazing what Tiger did out there," American Matt Kuchar told reporters after shooting a second successive 68 to sit three strokes off the pace in third spot at eight under.

"It's just some incredible golf. The rest of us, my four-under score is kind of a good barometer. That's some good quality playing. Ten under is an amazing round of golf but I'd certainly take two more rounds of four-under par."

Kuchar expressed sympathy for twice World Challenge champion McDowell, who was paired with Woods for the second round but lost ground despite firing a five-birdie 67.

"I kind of felt sorry for Graeme," said Kuchar, a double winner on the 2013 PGA Tour. "I saw he posted a five-under-par round, and it must have felt like it was two or three over.

"It's tough when you're paired with a guy like that. It makes you feel like you're not doing much. But the rest of us just go about our business."

McDowell, who clinched the World Challenge for the first time with a playoff victory over Woods in 2010, was full of admiration after having a ringside seat on Friday for the American's 62.

"It was a clinic," the Northern Irishman said. "It was cool to see that kind of golf. He was under control. He hit it down the middle of every fairway."

First-round leader Zach Johnson birdied his final hole for a bogey-free 68 to secure outright second place and was largely satisfied with his round.

"I had opportunities," said Johnson, who had opened with a 67. "I had some putts on the back nine, opportunities where I could have got up and down for birdie and a couple of those par-fives that I didn't.

"Other than that, it was a pretty solid day. No complaints. I mean, you finish with a birdie on 18, especially after yesterday when I bogeyed it, so I'll take it."

The average score on Friday was 70.78, almost nine strokes worse than the 62 posted by Woods, who is seeking a record sixth victory at the event and his sixth tournament win this year.

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