Two-time champion Ernie Els continued his dominance of the Sun City Golf Challenge with a businesslike third round to extend his lead at the Gary Player Country Club today.
The South African returned a flawless three-under-par 69 to reach 12 under for the tournament, four shots clear of Colin Montgomerie - who equalled the week's lowest score with a superb 65 - and American Chris DiMarco who posted a level-par 72.
Two shots further back at six-under-par are South Africa's Retief Goosen (70) and Darren Clarke who returned 71.
Montgomerie, who started the day in a tie for last place in the 12-man field, reached the turn in 31, despite a bogey-five at the treacherous third. Three birdies and a bogey coming home left the Scot with an outside chance of catching Els in the final round.
Els's round was less spectacular as he claimed three birdies while keeping his card bogey-free.
"It was an up and down day," Els said afterwards. "I finished better than I played in the middle of the round so all-in-all I have to be satisfied. I had a one-shot lead and now I've got a four-shot lead, so I guess it was OK."
204Ernie Els (Rsa) 70 65 69
208Colin Montgomerie (Sco) 74 69 65, Chris Dimarco (USA) 68 68 72
210Retief Goosen (Rsa) 68 72 70, Darren Clarke72 67 71
211 Padraig Harrington72 70 69, Michael Campbell (Nzl) 71 71 69
212Jim Furyk (USA) 69 71 72
213Sergio Garcia (Spa) 70 73 70
214Bob Estes (USA) 73 69 72, Nick Price (Zim) 71 70 73
215Robert Allenby (Aus) 70 71 74