Van Zyl in pole for French Open golf crown

Jaco van Zyl took a two-shot lead into the final round of the French Open at Le Golf National on Sunday aiming to become the first South African winner of continental Europe's oldest national championship since Retief Goosen in 1999.

A win would also reward the 36-year-old for years of patient toil, having failed to take a European Tour crown in 113 previous attempts.

Van Zyl was the star turn on Saturday taking on the most difficult pin positions of the week to hit all 18 greens in regulation en route to a tournament-best seven-under 64.

He led by two at 10 under from fast-rising German player Maximilian Kieffer with Austria's Bernd Wiesberger a further shot back.

But the main danger was expected to come from the third to last pairing out consisting of French number one Victor Dubuisson and former world number one Martin Kaymer of Germany.

Dubuisson is seeking to become the first home winner of the French Open since Thomas Levet in 2011, while Kaymer is after his second French Open title, having won the 2009 edition.

Kaymer made the better start of the two with a birdie at the first moving him to within three shots of the lead.

Dubuisson, on the other hand, saw his drive run overlong into the water, resulting in a punishing bogey.
Source: AFP