Els trails as Cheetham takes lead
 |  Els drove superbly but struggled with his putts |
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MALELANE, South Africa -- Englishman Neil Cheetham, who only made this season's Tour with a last hole eagle in qualifying school, took a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Dunhill Championship in Malaleane, South Africa.
He shot a 69 which put him on five-under 208, one ahead of home player David Frost, whose 20-year-old compatriot Charles Schwartzel was a further stroke away.
England's Oliver Whiteley was fourth on 211 with world number three Ernie Els in a group of four on 212.
Last month Cheetham got through European Tour qualifying school for only the second time in eight visits by making an eagle at the last at San Roque in Spain. He is playing his first tournament since then.
"Tomorrow is going to be difficult but enjoyable," Cheetham said. "I'm not going to put pressure on myself and predict a score that will win.
"Frostie is a great player and Ernie Els might come through and shoot a low number, I'm just going to do what I've done all week and have a good time."
Cheetham recorded three birdies, the first at the par-four sixth on his way to an outward nine of 34. Birdies at the par-five 15th and 18th followed although it could have been better when he missed a three-foot eagle putt on the last.
"That was about the worst putt I have ever hit," Cheetham said. "But I'm not unhappy because I scrambled some good pars today as I didn't drive the ball particularly well. It evened out in the end."
Cheetham, 37, signed for English soccer club Sheffield Wednesday as a teenager, but a knee injury dashed his hopes of a successful career in that sport.
Swinging putt
Els, who posted a 75 in the second round, carded a 70 by sinking a swinging 15-foot eagle putt on the 18th.
"That was the first putt I've made in two days," Els said. "I only missed two fairways today -- I was hitting my driver unbelievably well.
"I gave myself a lot of chances but I got progressively more irritated because I couldn't capitalize."
Els had suffered an early setback by putting his tee shot at the short fifth in water and taking a double bogey.
Frost, who has not won a tournament since the South African Open in 1999, spent a few days last week working with coach David Leadbetter.
"It's been a long time since I have won but that's not on my mind at the moment, I'm just trying to play each shot as it comes," Frost said.
"The pin positions will be tough tomorrow and something like even-par could be in a good position."
Second-round leader Peter Gustafsson from Sweden fell out of contention on another steaming day with a 79. He was on even par for the tournament.
