Bjorn eats into Els' lead
Ernie Els had his lead cut to two by Thomas Bjorn in the American Express world championship at Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny today.
With tee-off times brought forward because of a forecast of gales, Els resumed in the rain on 15 under par – and although he birdied the first and third, Bjorn matched them and then grabbed another on the long fifth.
The Dane, beaten by Els in the final of the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth 12 months ago, improved to 16 under as a result and was three clear of third-placed David Howell.
Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen and Todd Hamilton were five behind in fourth place. Then came Irish pair Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington – Clarke after holing a 110-yard wedge on the first for an eagle two and Harrington, joint third overnight, after three-putting the fourth.
Els and Bjorn matched each other shot for shot for the rest of the outward half, Bjorn's long birdie attempt to draw level on the ninth going agonisingly close.
The really bad weather had still to appear at this stage and the tournament looked like avoiding a Monday finish.
Garcia went third on his own at 13 under – four behind – when he birdied the long 10th, but he had missed from two feet on the previous green.
Els went two ahead again with a two-putt birdie on the 10th and looked to have a chance to make the gap three at the next. But Bjorn sank a 22-footer, and he missed from 12 - so they were 18 under and 17 under, still clear of the chasing group.
Bjorn has since dropped a shot to take him back to 16 under, with Els now in a two-shot lead after 14 holes.
