Ernie Els had a nightmare start to the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday, four-putting from 20 feet on the first green.
It was an inexplicable lapse from the South African after he sent his birdie putt charging past the hole. He then slid his fourth past again and his fifth from three feet lipped out.
That left him four strokes behind playing-partner and tournament leader Juan Miguel Jimenez of Spain who made par despite finding a fairway bunker with his drive.
The 41-year-old Ryder Cup star, who has hit a golden patch of form over the last year, went ahead thanks to a seven-under-par 65 on Friday which leapfrogged him above first round leader and tournament favourite Els.
Els is seeking to become the first player to win three times in Dubai and also to kickstart his preparations for his prime focus, next month’s Masters following a three-week break from he game.
Welshman Stephen Dodd started the day a further stroke back with two former Desert Classic winners, Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Bjorn ready to mount a challenge as they were paired together at seven-under, five strokes off the pace.
Els has chosen to stay in the Gulf next week for the Qatar Masters rather than play in the United States confirming his reputation for being the most international of the top four players in the world.
But after a winless start to the year, the World No. 3 has said it is time to win a trophy.
”I feel my game is right there. I feel I need to break out of where I am now and I want to play well this week,” he said.
Two six-under 66s early in the day from English Ryder Cup players Paul Broadhurst and Barry Lane, showed the the conditions were apt for low-scoring with overcast conditions and a light breeze.
A big crowd was following Montgomerie as he battled to get back into the world top 50 in time for the Tournament Players Championship and The Masters, but a dropped stroke on the first was not the start the Scot was looking for.
The $2,2-million tournament is for the first time being
jointly sanctioned by the European and Asian tours. ‒ Sapa-AFP