Woods and Els stick to script

As host of the Bay Hill Invitational, Arnold Palmer has much to do with how the tournament is staged, but not even the "King" could guarantee a head-to-head between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. Fortunately the players themselves took care of that little detail.

At the course he owns, Palmer likes to give the players a challenge, in contrast to the birdie-fests at many US Tour events, and although it is not to the taste of some, this is where the top two players in the world teed up in the same strokeplay tournament for the first time this year.

Of course, once the balls are in the air Palmer has less influence, least of all over his own ball these days, as he bowed out with a score that it would be impolite to mention. But at the other end of the leaderboard he could have no worries as Woods and Els lined up alongside each other in yesterday's delayed third round. "If I could write the script," said the 73-year-old legend, "this is the script I would like to see."

Recovering from his worst score of the year on Thursday, Els scored a 65 on Friday despite a near five-hour delay due to a thunderstorm. Woods only teed off late in the day but returned yesterday morning to conjure up six birdies in 11 holes, including four at the last six. The delay meant starting from two tees and playing in threeballs in order to get the third round finished.

Having produced a 65 of his own, Woods took the 36-hole lead at nine under par by three strokes from Stewart Cink. With Els leading the group of players at five under, the showdown everyone wanted to see became reality as he joined their group.

Woods became the third player to make 100 consecutive cuts on the US Tour after Byron Nelson, who holds the record with 113, and Jack Nicklaus, with 105. More importantly, he is determined to be the third player after Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen to win an event in four consecutive years. Wrestling the Scottish claymore sword that is the tournament's trophy away from Tiger will be no easy task. Els, a former winner here himself, is yet to finish below second place in six strokeplay events this year.

Woods made four birdies, including the 15th and 16th, and two bogeys in the seven holes he managed before darkness descended on Friday. His Swedish girlfriend, Elin Nordegren, was in hospital overnight being treated for dehydration after fainting with food poisoning earlier in the day. She was released yesterday morning as Woods resumed at the par-three 17th.

There he holed from 12 feet for a two, while he put his second at the 18th to three feet. "I hit it awful on the range but sometimes that is a blessing in disguise," Woods said. "I got into a great rhythm on the course straight away."

He dropped a shot at the first but birdied the next two par fives, the fourth and sixth, before hitting his tee shot at the short seventh to six feet. For good measure he holed from eight feet at the ninth and then went home for a second, more leisurely, breakfast.

"I have always liked playing this course, ever since I was a junior," Woods said. "It suits my game and sets up well to my eye off the tee." Having been unbeaten over 216 holes before this week helps as well.

Colin Montgomerie avoided missing a fourth successive cut for the first time in his career with a 70, his first round under par this year. After three successive birdies on Friday evening, Monty admitted he was still adjusting to his new blade clubs after years of playing cavity-backs. "I'm working hard," he said. "I've got nothing else to do. I've had five days off most weeks." But his hopes of moving under par overall were thwarted by a double bogey at the short 14th. Ensuring he played a full tournament for the first time this year hardly left the Scot bubbling with excitement. "There is not much to say," he said before walking off.

Lee Westwood, who is not qualified for next week's Players Championship, also made the cut but only after an extraordinary second round. After four straight fours on the back nine on Friday, he had only one yesterday morning on the front. He also had five threes, a five and two sevens, the bogey and the two doubles the result of finding the water.