Els puts Woods in the shade

A superlative outward 31 swept Ernie Els to the top of the leaderboard in the American Express world championship today – and threatened to push Tiger Woods down to world number three.

Having lost his top spot after five years to Vijay Singh last month, Woods would go down another spot if Els triumphs at Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny on Sunday.

Only joint 16th after his opening 69, the South African birdied the first four holes, then had another at the 426-yard ninth during the latest of several heavy downpours.

He was seven under, one ahead of overnight leader Todd Hamilton – but Woods, at last responding to treatment on his bad back, birdied the fourth and seventh himself to be in joint third spot.

Alongside him were Ryder Cup pair Lee Westwood and Luke Donald, Robert Allenby, Brad Faxon and Steve Flesch. But Sergio Garcia was one of a number of players in the lake at the dangerous short third, and the double bogey dropped him five behind.