Ernie Els closed in on his second straight PGA Tour win by finishing the Arnold Palmer Invitational third round with a one-shot lead over American Ben Curtis on Saturday.
Els, winner of this month’s WGC-CA Championship, shot a three-under 69 to close on 10-under 206. Curtis (70), who had been bogey-free for 31 holes, finally succumbed on the 16th and 17th to surrender the lead.
Chris Couch (69) of the US was third, three shots behind Els, after enjoying some luck on the final hole.
His ball bounced off three rocks on the edge of greenside water before jumping on to the green and allowing him to make par.
Italian Edoardo Molinari (70) was joint fourth with American Kevin Na (72), four shots off the lead.
World number three Phil Mickelson had a disappointing round with the putter — five bogeys and two birdies leaving him seven shots behind Els. – Reuters