Ernie Els was just three shots off the pace on Saturday after the third round of the Senior Open at Gleneagles, setting himself up for a chance at the rare Open Championship-Senior Open double.
Els carded a one-under 69 in the third round to move to six-under for the championship, which was led by Paul Broadhurst and Darren Clarke at nine-under. Clarke of Northern Ireland is also shooting for that rare double, as is Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, who was in a share of fifth with Els.
One shot behind Els, James Kingston carded the second-best round of the day with his four-under to move into a share of 10th with Germany’s Bernhard Langer on five-under.
Retief Goosen had a level-par 70 to be one-under for the championship in a share of 28th. Adilson Da Silva signed for a one-over 71 to move to level-par and a share of 37th. David Frost, who played with Els in the third round, battled to a seven-over 77 and slid to a share of 47th.
If Els is able to pull off the double, he will join the very short list of luminaries who have done so. It currently consists of Gary Player, Bob Charles and Tom Watson.
Also in the running for the feat, but, at two-under for the championship through 54 holes, has some ground to make up in the final round, is Paul Lawrie.
