Defining Sunday for Ernie Els

Ernie Els, the golfer whose career has been overshadowed by the genius of Tiger Woods, finally has the chance to step out of the world number one's shadow at the Open today.

The South African, who is nicknamed the 'Big Easy' because of the smoothness of his swing, has only two U.S. Opens to his name mainly because of Woods's dominance over the last five years.

He would have added to that tally two years ago, including the British Open at St Andrews and the U.S. Open, but for Woods who twice beat him into second place during his three-major haul of 2000.

Golf is an unpredictable game but Els, for once, should not have to worry about the Tiger Factor on Sunday.

He lies 11 shots clear of the American after 54 holes following Saturday's appalling weather which swept Woods to his worst score as a professional, a 10-over-par 81, and washed away his hopes of a golfing grand slam.

Els leads the rest of the field by two shots with Denmark's relatively inexperienced Irish Open champion Soren Hansen leading the chase.

The 1997 British Open winner Justin Leonard, Spain's Sergio Garcia and the English number one Justin Rose are among seven players one further back at two under.

Rose and Leonard advanced 47 places after recording best-of-the-day 68s during the best of the weather in the morning.

After the vagaries of Saturday afternoon's play in which Colin Montgomerie played 20 shots more than the 64 he took the previous day, Els knows he can take nothing for granted.

But with far more benign weather expected -- the forecasters were anticipating sunny spells and only light winds -- it was no surprise when British bookmakers installed Els as the new favourite, some as low as even money, with Woods not quoted.

Els still has plenty of work on his hands over the final 18 holes over one of the toughest stretches in golf in the world but when reminded that at least he did not have Woods to concern him, he summed up his feelings in one word: "Comforting".

He continued: "I can't take it easy, though. I have to go out and play as hard as I can -- as I have all week. Others want this championship just as bad as I do."

Very few, though, have his power or talent. This time it really is only Els's tournament to lose.

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