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Els tops Dubai leaderboard

02/02/2008

Ernie Els has climbed to the top of the leaderboard after hitting 65 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

The South African had gone into the day four stokes behind Tiger Woods, though was soon back into contention with two birdies on the first nine holes.

Els then finished his round with an eagle, birdie, par, birdie, putting him on a score of 11 under, one ahead of Swede Henrik Stenson.

Woods, however, had a nightmare of a day, letting his overnight lead slip with a score of 73.

The American's poor start was made even worse when he plunged into the water on the last hole.

England's Lee Westwood also shot up the leaderboard after a round of 68.

Westwood now goes into the next round three shots off the pace on eight under, putting him in joint third place with Graeme McDowell.

McGrane and Sergio Garcia also make up the top five, alongside Woods.

Els put his excellent display down to having had a couple of weeks off prior to going into the Desert Classic.

"It feels good, it's my first good round of the year," he said.

"I needed to get off to a good start, and got that with birdies at the third and the fifth, then missed a couple of putts and got it going on the back nine when the wind was down," he added.