Golf: Eales poised for test of nerve

Paul Eales, a shot behind joint the leaders Nic Henning and Miguel Angel Jimenez after three rounds of the Extremadura Open at Badajoz, Spain, will learn today how strong his nerves are under pressure. Eales, who shot a third-round 69 for a 54-hole total of 210, said: 'I've never been in contention in a European Tour event before but I've always wanted to be in to see what I can do. Ernie Els recovered from a disastrous start yesterday to return a one- under-par 72 for a two-shot lead going into the final round of the Australian Masters championship in Melbourne. The South African bogeyed three of the first four holes on the 6,955-yard Huntingdale course but rallied in difficult windy conditions. He had a 54-hole total of 212, two strokes ahead of the 1992 champion, Craig Parry, who carded a 70.