An incredible scoring burst around the turn saw home favourite Justin Walters take control of the Joburg Open during the third round at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club.
The 33 year old, who was born in Johannesburg, birdied three of his first six holes to catch overnight leaders Craig Lee and Edoardo Molinari.
But that was just the start as Walters, who secured his European Tour card with a 60 foot putt on the final green in Portugal last year just two weeks after his mother died, made four birdies in a row from the eighth – the last courtesy of a remarkable 40 footer.
At 16 under he led by one from compatriot Thomas Aiken, who himself had an incredible eight birdies against a single bogey over his first 15 holes.
Korea’s Jin Jeong sat third on 14 under, with Lee and Molinari part of a large group tied for fourth another two shots back.
Jeong, a winner in Perth at the end of 2013, moved to within one of the lead with an eight foot birdie at the 15th.
