Golf: Els continues to shine in Sun City

Ernie Els gave himself the best possible chance of winning the Million Dollar Challenge at the eighth attempt after carding a joint course record eight-under par 64 in yesterday's third round at Sun City in South Africa. Els leads by a convincing six shots over Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, who returned a 68 as he tried desperately to stay in touch with the man he beat in a play-off for the 1996 title. The South African's total of 19-under-par 197 is only five short of Nick Price's record winning total of 24-under par in 1993. Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke also posted a joint course record 64, with no bogeys, which places him at 11-under- par 205.

The general consensus amongst the 12-man field, is that Els in this kind of form will be difficult to catch. "I'll have to shoot a 57, or shoot Ernie," Montgomerie said.