Ernie Els moves 9 shots clear

Ernie Els shot an 8-under 64 at Lake Karrinyup on Saturday to extend his lead to nine strokes in the Johnnie Walker Classic and move closer to his fourth tournament win of the year.

Els, starting the day four shots ahead, has a three-round total of 23-under 193 on the par-72 course. Jean-Francois Remesy of France is tied for second at 14-under 202 after a 65 Saturday with Craig Kamps of South Africa, who shot 64.

Defending champion Retief Goosen of South Africa is among a group of four tied for fourth at 13-under 203. Goosen had a 66 Saturday and is tied with David Smail of New Zealand (64) and Australians Andre Stolz (67) and Stephen Leaney (68).

Els is coming off a successful defense of his Heineken Classic title at Royal Melbourne two weeks ago and has captured four of the last five tournaments he's played, including his final event of 2002. He has won 10 worldwide titles since teaming with Retief Goosen to win the World Cup in November 2001.

Els won the Classic in 1997.

Australian Craig Spence had eight birdies in a row while equaling the Lake Karrinyup course record Saturday with a 9-under 63, moving into eighth place.

The 28-year-old Spence's run started on the par-4 390-meter fourth and ended with the par-3 12th.

The 1999 Australian Masters champion has spent the last two years struggling, missing cuts regularly.

"At times it has been extremely frustrating, working very hard and your not improving, it is very confusing," he said.

He said he tried to keep positive during his hot streak Saturday.

"I was just reminding myself to keep the run going, I wasn't putting pressure on myself, but this is enjoyable and fun, let's keep giving myself chances," he said.

His run of birdies equaled the European tour record that includes similar feats by Ian Woosnam, Mark O'Meara and Seve Ballesteros.

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