Darren Clarke continued to play himself right back into contention at the Joburg Open after following yesterday's 65 with a third round 67 to move into a tie for fifth.

Although the Dungannon man opened with a bogey at the first and carded another at the 11th his round was interspersed with no less than six birdies. That left Clarke tied fifth on eight under 205 and three behind leader who shot 69.

The South African leads by two on 11-under from compatriot Tyrone Ferriera (69), Spain's Pablo Larrazabal (70) and Germany's Sven Struver (66).  Murless has led from day one at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club and is in prime position to go on and lift the €174,350 first prize.

England's Ross McGowan stormed back into contention with a seven-under-par card of 64, the low round of the day, to find himself tied with Clarke.

It was a remarkable turnaround for the 25-year-old, especially after his four-over-par 75 yesterday, a score that almost made him miss the cut.

"(Yesterday) I just forgot my way around, really," said McGowan. "I didn't hit the ball all that well either and didn't hole many putts.

"I wasn't too disappointed with how I played, just more annoyed with the day and the chances that I didn't take.

"Today the weather was better than yesterday; I think that made a difference."