Round three report

The world number three is eight shots clear and on his way to a third straight Heineken Classic title after a third-round 68 in Melbourne.

But the South African, who scorched round in 60 on the first day, insisted the game of golf was not as easy as he made it look.

"I approach the game a little bit differently than people think maybe. I'm pretty hard on myself," he said.

"But maybe I've got an easy way of playing the game, the way I swing, the way I walk...I don't know."

The 34-year-old is setting the pace on 22 under with Australian Adam Scott and New Zealand' s Gareth Paddison the closest contenders.

No matter what he shoots tomorrow, it will be a great win for him Adam Scott

Els, who was a stroke off the European Tour record low of 125 for 36 holes, already holds the four-round record after a 29-under total in winning last year's Johnnie Walker Classic.

But he insisted he would not be blinded by a chance to make history on Sunday.

"I want to try and play better tomorrow [Sunday]," Els said. "I made some mistakes today."

"But you can't just go out there and shoot the number.

"It might be on, but I'm definitely not going to be thinking about it on the first tee.

"If it starts happening and it starts building, then yes maybe."

Scott admitted that Els was almost uncatchable.

"Just when I thought I might perhaps pick up one or two shots, he goes and pulls away again," Scott said.

"Ernie played very smart and he's still in total control.