Sabbatini on top in Hawaii

A South African is in control going into the final round of the Mercedes Championships in Hawaii - butnot the player anyone expected.

A South African is in control going into the final round of the Mercedes Championships in Hawaii, just not the player anyone expected.

Rory Sabbatini holed a wedge shot for eagle on the 16th hole - part of a four-shot swing over two holes that enabled him to blow past Ernie Els on on the way to an eight-under 65.

Vijay Singh was second, two strokes back, after a 67. The Masters champ birdied the last four holes, including a 12-footer on the last after hitting his approach against the bleachers.

Sabbatini said: "It was one of those days where everything seems to go your way."

That wasn't the case for Tiger Woods, who was eight strokes back at 211 after a 68.

The defending champion missed eight putts inside 15 feet and was so frustrated that he jokingly muttered to caddie Steve Williams at one point, "You think I should try crosshanded?"

But the real frustration belonged to Els. He had the tournament under control until he collapsed on the par fives on the back nine of the Plantation Course at Kapalua, twice having to take penalty drops because of errant tee shots.

When he missed a three-foot bogey putt on the final hole, Els had an even-par 73 on a surprisingly calm day in Maui, a day in which none of the 33 players in the winners-only field were over par.

While the harsh grain of Hawaiian greens requires lots of course knowledge, 24-year-old Sabbatini is making the most of his first visit to Kapalua. He finished on a 16-under total of 203.

With his double bogey on the final hole, Els was 12-under. After taking a four-stroke cushion into the weekend, the Big Easy now has his work cut out for him.

But Els is one of many big names still in touch for a final round burst. David Duval, who matched Sabbatini's 65 for the best round of the tournament, is six strokes back.

Jim Furyk had this third straight four-under 69 and was tied with Els, four strokes back.

The group at 208 included Paul Azinger, who was within two strokes of the lead at one point until hitting into the hazard on 15 and taking a double bogey. Azinger shot a 68 and was tied with Mike Weir, David Toms and Billy Andrade.