The true class of Ernie Els shone through on the third day of the Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg today as the world number five moved to within four shots of compatriot Martin Maritz’s 17-under par lead.
An eagle three at the par five 18th sealed the devastating nine-under par round 63 to give Els the early clubhouse lead on 13-under 203. However, he was made to share the limelight with Maritz who followed in bullish fashion with a 63 of his own to leave Els four adrift by the end of the day.
The flawless round by Maritz comprised six birdies on the front nine with a further three on the inward half, to get within one of the course record set by Dean Robertson in the first round 12 months ago.
Els’ 63 got off to the ideal start by opening with three straight birdies before a birdie, bogey, birdie bogey combination from the fifth got him to the turn in three-under 33. The ‘Big easy’ then completed the inward half in world class fashion.
Obviously comfortable with the Houghton Golf Club set-up, Els began the back nine with three birdies, added another at the 16th and picked up two more shots with a final eagle.
England’s Mark Foster is second after today’s bogey-free 65 leaves him two adrift of Maritz on 15-under 201. Overnight leader Sandeep Grewal demonstrated his resolve with a solid 68 to lie third, just one behind Foster, his fellow countryman.
Paul McGinley made noises of his own with his second 66 of the week. A run of three birdies from the second got the round off on the right note before the Dubliner enjoyed another trio of birdies to finish.
The 35-year-old shares fourth alongside Els, England’s Justin Rose (66) and another South African Roger Wessels (69). It was not such good news for David Higgins, the last remaining Irishman in the field, he had a poor 74 and slipped back to one-under overall.
James Kingston scored the third hole-in-one of the week in the most bizarre manner during his 71. The South African, who was tied third in his national Open last week, pulled his four-iron into the trees left of the 206-metre 15th. The ball then ricocheted off branches, landed on the green and roll into the hole.
Belfast amateur Michael Hoey and Jaco van Zyl from South Africa both aced the 12th during yesterday’s round.
Els must be considered the real danger as he has yet to finish outside of the top two in this his fourth Championship appearance. The 32-year-old claimed the title in 1999 and was runner-up in 1996 and 1998.
As one of the men of the moment and home favourite, Els had appeared frustrated at not making progress during yesterday’s 72 but what he lacked then he certainly made up for today.