Local favourite Charl Schwartzel leads by three strokes after shooting a 70 in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek, South Africa on Saturday (November 28).

Charl Schwartzel retained his 3-shot lead after the 3rd round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek on Saturday - despite his worst round of the tournament so far.

The South African cheered the home crowd with three birdies in what he described as a very uncomfortable round.

Schwartzel, who won the event in 2005, 2012 and 2013, found a lone bogey in his round of 70, two-under for the day - and good enough to move him to a 13-under total.

He will head into the final round with a three-stroke margin over the chasing pack, led by French pair Sebastian Gros and Benjamin Hebert, who carded rounds of 63 and 68 respectively.

Another South African - Dylan Frittelli - occupies fourth on the leaderboard after adding a 66 to previous rounds of 73 and 69.

And Joost Luiten is tied with Gregory Bourdy, David Drysdale and Lasse Jensen at fifth at seven-under for the tournament.

All eyes now turn to Sunday's final, where, if Schwartzel is crowned champion, he will become the first South African to win the same European Tour event 4 times.