Els lost out to Woods at the first extra hole 12 months ago

ROUND THREE LEADERBOARD
(GB & Ire unless stated):
-17 E Els (SA)
-15 R Fisher, J Randhawa (Ind), H Stenson (Swe)
-14 T Woods (USA)
Selected others:
-11 S Dyson
-10 P Casey, D Clarke,
-9 C Montgomerie, A Coltart, G McDowell, P Price

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

The South African holds the advantage over Indian Jyoti Randhawa, Swede Henrik Stenson and Englishman Ross Fisher who led after two rounds.

But Tiger 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.

Woods finished his round with two consecutive birdies.

Els also finished birdie, birdie to move clear at the top. Overnight leader Fisher could only manage three birdies to go along with two bogies in his round of 71.

"I am a little fortunate to be two ahead," said three-time champion Els.

You know Tiger could get red-hot at any time Ernie 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 not be fazed by 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."

Colin Montgomerie had been out earlier in the morning to complete his second round after thunder storms delayed play on Friday.

But he showed no signs of fatigue as he enjoyed his best round of the tournament to move to nine under.

"I'll try and finish in the top-10, that would be reasonable," said the eight-time Order of Merit winner.

"The course is set up great. It is a big tournament this so we will see. There are lots of world ranking points available. So I'll try and finish as high up as possible."

The Scot made a steady start on his outward nine, carding two birdies and a bogey but he improved coming home to make four birdies without dropping a shot.