Waring shares lead at Joburg Open

JOHANNESBURG — England's Paul Waring and South Africa's Darren Fichardt share the lead going into Sunday's third and final round of the rain-hit Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
 The tournament was reduced to 54 holes after a thunderstorm stopped play soon after noon Saturday.
 Waring was one of 71 players who completed their second rounds on Saturday before the storm hit. He had held the overnight lead at 12 under par with six holes remaining in his second round at Royal's West Course — one of two courses used for the first two rounds. He dropped a shot at the 18th to finish on a four-under 67 and a total of 11-under 132.
 Waring, 32, was English Amateur champion in 2005 but has yet to win as a professional.
 Hampered by back injuries, he is playing on the 2017 Tour on a medical exemption after only playing in four events last season.
 "I've always felt like I played quite well here, so I'm looking forward to the weekend," he said, citing his experience of playing in wet conditions.
 Fichardt, 41, who is seeking his first European Tour win since the Africa Open in 2013, completed his second round on Friday and had not started his third round when play was called off.
 South Africans Dean Burmester and Jacques Kruyswijk were one off the pace on 133.
 None of the leaders had started their third rounds but China's Li Haotong, England's Garrick Porteous, Sweden's Magnus Carlsson and South Africans Garth Mulroy and Andre de Decker were all three under for the round and had moved into a share of 16th place on seven under at the stoppage.
 The leading three players, not otherwise exempt, will earn a place in the British Open at Royal Birkdale in July. Haotong is the only player in the top 34 after Saturday who has already secured a spot in the Open. — AFP