Els aiming to blow away rivals on final day

Ernie Els

Superstar Ernie Els is hoping the wind will keep blowing at the Ballantine’s Championship as he chases his third title of the year.

The world No.7 heads into the final round of the €2.2 million showpiece at Pinx Golf Club in Jeju, Korea, just two shots behind leader Marcus Fraser of Australia.

Els compiled a three-under-par 69 in blustery conditions on Saturday (24 April) and said he could have shot even lower.

"It could have been a lot better," insisted the South African. "I missed a lot of putts out there but I played pretty solidly. I had one three-putt and a lot of birdie misses. I'm playing nicely, so I've got half a chance tomorrow."

Jeju's famous blustery conditions made life difficult for the players on Saturday and Els said he was hoping for more of the same.

"I'd like to see it tough tomorrow, because even today, if I had made some putts, I could have shot somewhere in the middle 60s," he said.

"So I like the conditions the way they are. I'd like to see it tough, otherwise there are too many guys in it."

The tournament - co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA - has been reduced to 54 holes after play was held up for six hours on the first day due to fog.

Fraser, who shot 70 on Saturday to reach nine-under 135, leads by one shot from Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin, defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Argentina's Tano Goya.

Three-time Major winner Els is on seven-under with Korean Ted Oh and Brett Rumford of Australia.

Els - winner of the WGC-CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour last month - said he was looking forward to the final round.

"Obviously, I've got to get off to a good start," he said. "I've got to really play the par fives well, hopefully make some birdies, maybe eagles. I need a low one, so hopefully I'll play well."