An eagle-two on the 17th on Saturday saw Ernie Els set up yet another final-round battle with one of his closest senior rivals as he carded a bogey-free six-under 64 in the third round of the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
Els made two birdies on each of the nines before he holed his approach on the 400-yard par-four 17th to move to eight-under for the tournament. That was one stroke behind American Steve Stricker, with whom Els has had some dramatic recent struggles. Els shared second with Swede Robert Karlsson.
Els matched his low round of the season with his 64, and is looking for his third win of the current season. That would make him the first to three this season in just his 13th start.
Retief Goosen had a one-under 69 to move to two-over and a share of 23rd ahead of the final round.
