Els in the driving seat as Monty's challenge fades

South Africa's Ernie Els shot a course-record-equalling eight- under-par 64 to stretch away from the field to lead the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge by six strokes going into today's final round.

Closest to him is Scotland's European No 1, Colin Montgomerie, who had four birdies in a flawless 68, but was powerless to stop the South African's surge towards his first Million Dollar title in eight attempts. Els finished the third round on 197, with Monty on 203.

The Scot was stung not only by the brilliant play of Els, but also by a wasp at the 14th tee. "I hope it was a wasp, any way," said Montgomerie. "I don't like being stung by things I don't know!"

Also equalling the course record set by Nick Faldo in 1994 was Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke. He is third on 11-under-par 205, and does not believe Els can be caught. "I'll have to shoot a 57, or shoot Ernie," he said.

Earlier, lightning forced the players off the course after the leaders had played nine holes. Els had started the day with three birdies in the first four holes, but then dropped two shots over the seventh and eighth. Montgomerie was just a shot off the pace, and looking menacing.

But a huge drive of 326 yards, a 2-iron of 219 yards over water and a five-yard putt gave Els, the world's No 5, a brilliant eagle to take him three clear of Montgomerie again. "It was a bit of a gamble playing it that way," said Els, "but I felt if I wanted to win this tournament, I had to do something about it today."

Els added: "The lightning break came at the right time for me, because it's easy to get carried away when you score an eagle like that."

The big South African looked at ease with his game, despite the two dropped shots. "When he plays like this, he is quite unstoppable," said Montgomerie.

The Scot said he didn't feel he had been put under pressure by Els playing so well. "I think he fed off the fact my short irons were really not going that well," he said.

American Jim Furyk came close to equalling the course record with a 65 to go with his great 64 in the last round of last year's Million Dollar. He is in fourth place on 206.

o The JC Penney Classic at Palm Harbour, Florida could not have come at a better time for Paul Azinger.

The last round of golf that Payne Stewart played before his death in October was at the Disney Classic when he was paired with Azinger. Just days later, Azinger was giving an emotional eulogy during his good friend's memorial.

Azinger confided that he told himself: "I need to pull up my boot straps and just go out and play a tournament. I felt if I didn't I would start to wallow. I really did need to play."

Azinger is doing more than just playing this week. He and Se Ri Pak shot a seven-under 64 on Thursday in the modified alternate stroke format for a share of the second-round lead with John Daly and Laura Davies. The leaders had 13-under totals Daly and Davies, who had shared the lead with defending champs Steve Pate and Meg Mallon following Thursday's best-ball, shot a second-round 66.

Azinger and Pak met for the first time last Wednesday, but have adjusted quickly. "We don't really know each other," Azinger said. "We're kind of just playing our own games and totalling them up.

"She came out today and hit a lot of really good shots. She can play, man. She's really amazing."

Daly and Davies had no trouble finding common ground. Not only is each the longest hitter on their respective tours, both share a fascination with casinos. Teamed together, they were happy to apply that willing-ness to gamble on their golf.

"You've got to take some chances," Davies said. "You never lay up. If you are in the trees and have a chance to hit a shot, you've got to go for it."

o Mark Hayes, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, won the Senior PGA Tour qualify-ing tournament in Tucson, Arizona, closing with a one-under-par 71 for a five-stroke victory. Hayes, had an 11-under 277.

o Brad King, one-time US Tour pro and motel manager, marked his comeback with a sparkling third-round 66 for a share of the lead in the Australian Players' championship yesterday.

King joined countryman Lucas Parsons after a seven-under par round at Royal Queensland containing an eagle and five birdies.

Parsons shot 72 and the pair held a two-shot advantage ahead of today's final round with 11-under totals of 208.

Amateur Aaron Baddeley, 18, who became the youngest winner of the Australian Open last weekend, shot a 74 and and was one-over for the tournament.

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