Els avoiding Open worries

Ernie Els was today trying to forget about his defence of his Open title next week – even though he was getting the perfect preparation at Loch Lomond.

Els took a four-shot lead into today’s third round of the £2.2m (€3.18m) Scottish Open after adding a 67 to his opening 64.

The South African felt at the start of the week that a soggy Loch Lomond course was not the ideal way to warm up for the test awaiting him at Sandwich, with dry fairways and strong winds more the order of the day.

But a torrential downpour on Thursday and more rain and wind on Friday actually gave the world number two the chance to practice the kind of shots he will need when the Open gets underway on Thursday.

“On the front nine the wind gusted out there and we had to play all the shots,” said Els, whose nearest challengers were Ryder Cup hero Phil Price and Australian namesake Terry on seven under.

“The eighth was only 158 yards to the hole, normally a smooth eight iron, but I had to hit in a low six iron there. There was also the 10th where I had 188 yards in, normally a smooth six iron, and I had to hit a low five iron and hit it hard.

“We are playing the shots we are going to need next week. Maybe the ball’s not reacting the same way but we are definitely hitting the shots and a lot of drivers. With technology nowadays you don’t need to use your driver a lot but because it’s so wet we’ve had to.”

With that in mind, Els admitted it could be difficult to concentrate on the task in hand as he tries to retain the title he won here in 2000 and then complete a rare double at Sandwich.

“You’ve got to stay within yourself and what you have to do in the moment, especially at the weekend. You get ahead of yourself at times and you mustn’t do that.

“That’s what I’ve been working on for the last couple of months and I’ll try to do that today. I have to go out there and play my game and try and broaden my lead if I can.”

He is up against an in-form player in Welshman Price however. The 36-year-old is fresh from claiming the biggest win of his career in the European Open in Dublin six days ago.

Asked about back-to-back wins, Price conceded: “I think it depends on Ernie. If he starts playing fantastic we will all have our work cut out but if not and I can raise my game, why not?”

Terry Price is playing only his third tournament since the death of his father Kev from cancer in Australia.

“I’ve had a disrupted few weeks and I’m trying to regain a bit of the momentum I was starting to secure in Wales where I finished 18th,” said the 42-year-old.

“My dad’s been battling cancer for about eight years on and off but the last of it wasn’t very nice. I went home and saw him and then came back and played in Wales before I got the message he wasn’t too good and pulled out of the British Masters after one round.

“Obviously I have thoughts of him all the time and that will continue.”