Golf: Westwood enjoys view from on high

LEE WESTWOOD maintained his fine run of form with a six-under- par 66 to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Million Dollar Challenge at Sun City.

The English Ryder Cup player began the third day two strokes adrift of the halfway leader, Nick Price, but as the Zimbabwean slipped back with a level-par 72 so Westwood moved clear on a 13-under-par total of 203.

Westwood shot the lowest round of the elite 12-man field for the second day running, following his 65 on Friday, and his nearest rival is now the American Justin Leonard, whose 68 left him on 205.

Price, who is chasing his third victory at the glamorous venue, is two shots further back on 207 in a share of fourth place with the world's No 1 player, Tiger Woods. The American returned a 67.

Colin Montgomerie, Europe's leading player, produced his best round of the week but, even so, the Scot's 70 still leaves him a distant 12 shots behind Westwood.

Westwood, making his first appearance in the event, was thoroughly contented with his day's work on the 7,597-yard Gary Player Country Club course. He admitted that he was inspired by playing in a the field that included 11 of the sport's other top players. "It's very civilised out there. We've been laughing and chatting and joking all around."

He was delighted with the score he returned, too. "There weren't any bad shots I hit out there today. Everything was spot on," he said.

The 25-year-old promised he would continue to attack the course in today's final round as he pursues the million-dollar first prize.

"I'll try to play the same I've played the first three days," he said. "When a flag's tucked away, play conservatively, and when a flag's open and I feel like I've got the right club for the job... then go for the flag."

Westwood, clearly enjoying the week, joked that he had a few beers on Friday night and his golf had improved.

"I drank Diet Coke on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and it didn't work Thursday [when he hit a first-round 72], so I decided to open a Heineken and shot a 65 and 66," he said.

Price, the defending champion, hit five birdies but his round was marred by a double-bogey at the 11th and dropped shots at the third, eighth and 18th holes. He said he was just trying to stay within a stroke or two of the leaders. "I've had some really good times around here. It's about time something caught up with me," he said.

Woods, playing his best golf for some weeks, included five birdies in his round to claw his way back into contention but he was frustrated by the fact that he did not score any better.

"I never thought I'd say this but I'm really disappointed shooting a 67," the American said. "If you look at it today it could have been 62 or even 61. I just didn't get the breaks. I hit the ball [on Friday] probably better off the tee than today. But I hit my irons better today. But I've been lipping out almost every putt."

His best hole was not one of his five birdies but the 471-yard eighth, where he collected a par. Woods had double- bogeys in the previous two rounds on the hole. It bends to the right and runs uphill to the green, which has sand traps on each side. Woods said his drive was off on his first two tries. "I've hit one on the left, one the right. I'm lucky to hit one down the middle this time," he said.

The US Tour's golfer of the year, Mark O'Meara, who was lying within one shot of the lead overnight, dropped down the leaderboard to eight- under overall, which was one shot better than the South African Ernie Els.