03 October 2004	Sunday	17 Shaban 1425

KILKENNY (Ireland) Oct 2: Ernie Els shot a four-under 68 to take a two shot lead after the third round of the US$m WGC American Express Championship on Saturday. But the South African has got a host of players chasing him.

Two back is Thomas Bjorn, having rediscovered his form after going through a major slump earlier this year.

Three back are three players - hometown favourite Padraig Harrington, European Ryder Cup star David Howell and Open champion Todd Hamilton, who beat Els in a dramatic playoff at Troon.

A shot further back is reigning US Open champion Retief Goosen and one more shot back Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

Bjorn says he is relishing Sunday's showdown.

On Saturday Bjorn came out firing, opening with two straight birdies and then carding an eagle two holes later.

Harrington is equally pleased with his game.

The Dubliner went out in five-under and then birdied the first hole coming back.

Tiger Woods' expected Saturday charge failed to materialise as he carded a two-under 70. It left him at eight-under for the championship and seven back from Els.

Third round scores

201 Ernie Els 69 64 68

203 Thomas Bjorn 68 69 66

204 David Howell 69 69 66, Padraig Harrington 69 69 66, Todd Hamilton) 66 69 69

205 Retief Goosen 68 69 68

206 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 67 72 67

208 Darren Clarke 71 72 65, Zach Johnson (68 71 69, Tiger Woods 68 70 70, Lee Westwood 68 69 71.-Reuters