It was a tough day at the office on Saturday for the South African players who made the cut in the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as Hennie du Plessis ended the day in a share of 30th.
Du Plessis carded a two-over-par 74 with three birdies and five bogeys to slip to three-over-par for the tournament on a day when Rory McIlroy showed the meaning of moving day with a bogey-free nine-under-par 63.
That put him 11 shots off the lead which was held by American Cameron Young, who overcame a double-bogey on seven and a bogey on eight to sign for a one-under-par 71. That gave him a two-stroke edge over McIlroy and Andrian Meronk of Poland. Meronk had a two-under-par 70 in the third round.
Du Plessis was joined on three-under by Zander Lombard, who had looked so good in the second round. A triple-bogey, a double-bogey and two bogeys spoiled the four birdies he made, and he had a three-over-par 75 to slide 23 places down the leaderboard ahead of the final round.
Louis de Jager also slipped a long way down, as his four-over 76 saw him slide 31 places to a share of 38th on two-under through 54 holes.
MJ Daffue had a one-over 73 and was in a share of 43rd on one-under. Joining him there was Dylan Frittelli who had the best time of it amongst the South Africans with his one-under-par 71.
Casey Jarvis and Jayden Schaper both carded one-over 73 and they moved to one-over for the tournament and a share of 61st.
