Golf Events / Editor / 03 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Ernie Els is poised for a last day desert duel with Tiger Woods after the big two made their move in the third round at the Emirates Golf Club

The South African hit six birdies and two bogeys in a round of 68 for a two-shot lead at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The Big Easy holds the advantage over India's Jyoti Randhawa, Swedish Ryder Cup star Henrik Stenson and England's Ross Fisher who led after two rounds.
Woods is only a shot further adrift and on current form will fancy his chances of retaining the title he won last year in a play-off with Els.

"I am a little fortunate to be two ahead," said three-time champion Els.
"I felt I probably left a couple of shots out there. I had three putts from 12 feet (for a bogey) at the first and another three putts at the eighth."

Els said he would be focussed on his own final round and ignore the fact that Woods was just three shots behind.

"It is important to play your game, to concentrate on what you do," he said.

"I've just got to shoot somewhere in the middle-60s and hopefully I should be OK.

But he admitted: "You also like to see what other players are doing, especially Tiger. You know he could get red-hot at any time."

Darren Clarke and Paul Casey also hit rounds of 68 to move to 10 under while Colin Montgomerie is a shot further back and Paul McGinley is seven under for the tournament after a one-under-par 71.

Els is Betfair's 2.16 favourite going into the final round, with Woods not far behind in the market at 3.7.

Stenson is the only other player rated with a realistic chance, according to Betfair punters, with the Swede available to back at 8.6 for the title.

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