Els relieved after retaining lead

Ernie Els will take a five-shot lead into the final round of the BMW Asian Open despite committing “a huge sin” in Shanghai.

Els carded a third-round 68 at Tomson Golf Club for a 19 under par total of 197 and four-shot lead over England’s Simon Wakefield, the qualifying school graduate’s 66 equalling the lowest round of the day.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn is two shots further back on 12 under after a 68 with France’s Jean-Francois Lucquin another stroke behind following a 69.

Els extended his overnight lead by a shot but admitted he was nowhere near the scintillating form of his second-round 62 as he posted seven birdies and three bogeys.

“I have to be satisfied but today was quite a difficult day here and there,” admitted the world number three. “Yesterday I was right on but today was a little off, I think I am a little fortunate to shoot 68.

“A couple of the bogeys that I made were not very pleasing. To bogey a par five to me is like a huge sin. That was a big mistake and on the 12th I was just left of the green and made a very soft bogey there too.

“But thankfully I managed to keep my concentration well and got over some of the bad spells and got back into it.

“It’s nice to have a lead but you have to watch out. The boys are going to be coming hard and there were a couple of good scores today.

“I have to play sensibly and aggressively when I can. If I shoot something under 70 tomorrow it will be hard for the guys to beat me.”

Chasing a third European Tour win in 2005 following back-to-back triumphs in Dubai and Qatar, Els birdied the first and bounced back from a bogey on the fourth with birdies on the seventh and eighth.

The South African had closed his second-round 62 with a brilliant eagle on the par five ninth, but this time pushed his drive into the water running down the right hand side of the hole, leading to a bogey six.

No doubt annoyed by that error, Els hit straight back with a birdie on the 10th but it was clear he was not in the imperious form of yesterday, another bogey coming on the 12th.

Again Els responded in typical fashion with back-to-back birdies and claimed another on the 18th, but afterwards headed to the driving range to continue working on changes to his posture and ball position begun after his worst performance in the US Masters for a decade.

“I saw some swings on television and I think I am getting a little bit too steep again,” added Els, seeking his 21st European Tour title. “I have to get the club a little bit further back.”

Wakefield admitted he would be extremely nervous partnering Els in Sunday’s final round as he chases his first tour title. Second place would also almost certainly secure his card for next season.

“I hope I’m not going to be too intimidated by him,” said the 31-year-old from Newcastle-under-Lyme, who finished second at the qualifying school in November to regain his playing rights for 2005.

“Tomorrow’s going to be a really good day and I probably won’t get too much sleep tonight. In my eyes Ernie is the number one golfer in the world. He’s someone I’ve admired for years and it will be great to get the chance to play with him tomorrow.”

Bjorn had looked like posing the biggest threat to Els when he eagled the second and picked up birdies on the sixth, 10th and 12th.

But the former Ryder Cup player was unable to make up any more ground on the leader and admits the tournament is virtually over.

“I got off to the start I wanted and was right where I wanted to be after 12 holes but just let it slip after that,” said Bjorn. “I let my chip get away from me on the 13th and missed good chances on the 15th and 18th as well.

“It’s a pretty good score and in the golf tournament for real people it’s not bad! When Ernie has a five-shot lead and is playing well you just have to try and produce a 63 or 64 and see if something happens but there are too many buts in all of that.

“If you get off to a fast start tomorrow hopefully he starts thinking about it a little and it becomes a contest but you are not talking about just anyone, it’s one of the best players in the world. This tournament is not over but it’s certainly an uphill task for the rest of us.”

Much earlier in the day, Colin Montgomerie’s slim hopes of climbing back into the world’s top 50 this week had been extinguished.

Montgomerie needed another good finish to move up from his current position of 54th – an improvement of 27 places since the start of the season.

But the former European number one could only manage a 73 to finish level par, the Scot signing his card a dispiriting 40 minutes before the last group teed off.

Montgomerie opened with 15 straight pars before falling foul of the 16th for the second day in succession.

This time he Scot avoided the water in front of the green but his approach plugged in a greenside bunker. After just getting his third shot onto the green, the 41-year-old three putted for a double bogey six.

At 590 yards the par-five 18th has been out of reach all week, but Montgomerie hit a superb second shot with his driver from the fairway to within 15 yards of the green to set up a closing birdie.