SHANGHAI, April 30: Ernie Els fired a solid four-under-par 68 to extend his lead to five strokes in the third round of the $1.5 million Asian Open on Saturday. The world number three cooled off after his brilliant 62 on Friday but still improved to finish on 19-under 197 at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club. Britain’s Simon Wakefield equalled the day’s best score with a 66 to take sole possession of second place at 14 under.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn was a further stroke off the pace in third, after a 68, while Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin’s 69 left him at 11 under. Els began the day with a four-stroke advantage and never looked like relinquishing his lead, despite bogeying the fourth, ninth and 12th holes. A six at the par-five ninth, where his drive found the water, particularly annoyed him although he managed to sink a 20-foot putt for birdie at the next. The twice US Open champion has won European Tour titles in Dubai and Qatar this year and tied for sixth at last week’s Johnnie Walker Classic in Beijing.

LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES: