Els pulls ahead of field in Singapore

South Africa's Ernie Els dropped two shots on the final two holes, but still leads by two strokes after the third round of the $900,000 Singapore Masters on Saturday.

Els, finished the day at 10-under-par 206 after shooting a two-under 70 at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club, two strokes ahead of China's Zhang Lian Wei, who carded a three-under-par 69 for an eight-under total of 208.

Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and Britain's Simon Yates share the third spot at seven under after shooting 69 and 72 respectively.

Gunning for his fourth successive title after wins at the Sun City Challenge in December and back-to-back wins on the US PGA Tour in Hawaii, Els was a runaway leader at 12 under par after 11 holes.

At that stage Zhang and Prayad were still struggling at six under, but they managed to pick up a few shots before Els dropped two shots in the final two holes.

"The end was a bit disappointing," said Els. "I am not really disappointed overall as I started the day one shot ahead and go into the final day two in the lead.

"But it could easily have been five or even six."

The world number two began the day at eight under and with birdies on the third, fifth, seventh and 11th holes, he looked in complete command.

But things began falling apart on the par-five 15th when his tee shot nearly landed on the 18th hole fairway.

Els then hit his second into the green-side bunker and needed two shots to get out before he saved par.

Another par on the 16th was followed by another errant tee shot on the 202-yard par-three 17th where the green is guarded by water.

Having found the water during his first round, Els hit too far to the left and was 10 yards off the putting surface.

He two-putted for bogey and then bogeyed the 18th as well when he overshot the green.

"The 15th hole proved a turning point today. Its a fairly easy birdie hole," Els added.

"But I was tired and the wind also picked up a bit. The course played tougher than the previous two days, that's why you see so much movement on the leaderboard," he said.

"But I am quite happy with my game overall.

"I played solid golf today and hit a lot of greens in regulation. I am really surprised that nobody else made a move. After the ninth hole I knew I was ahead by five but then lost it a bit.

"Tomorrow I must knuckle down and play well. I could afford to relax a bit if I was five ahead but with only two shots anything can happen.

"But I have learnt from my mistakes and that should really help me tomorrow."

Defending champion Arjun Atwal found himself floundering as he finished with four-over-par 76 to slide to 213 and virtually out of the title reckoning.

Zhang had birdies on the seventh, 10th, 15th and 17th holes. A bogey on the par-four 16th was his only blemish but he had done just enough to tee off with Els on the final day.

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