KILKENNY, Ireland, 3 October 2004 — South Africa’s Ernie Els is poised to win his first World Golf Championship title and erase the bitter memory of this year’s four Majors as he goes into today’s final round with a two shot lead.

After coming so close at the Masters, the US Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship, the 34-year-old Els admits he was depressed at not winning a single one but after a two week break coming in here he says he has refocused and put his Major failures behind him.

“What happened — it’s history now. I can’t do anything about it. Now I want to dedicate myself to the game again. Being human, and an athlete, you play to succeed and play to win and when it didn’t happen I was disappointed.

“But I’m fine now. I’ve had two weeks off and time to reflect. There’s a lot for me to play for in my career the next five, six years. I want to give it a good go. It’s not a bad start so far,” said Els who shot a third round four-under 68 to be two under for the seven million dollar WGC American Express Championship.

But the South African has got a host of star players chasing him. Two back is Thomas Bjorn, having rediscovered his form after going through a major slump earlier this year that saw him walk off the course in disgust at the K Club in July.

Three back are three players — hometown favorite Padraig Harrington, European Ryder Cup star David Howell and Open champion Todd Hamilton, who beat Els in a dramatic playoff at the Open at Troon in July. A shot further back is reigning US Open champion Retief Goosen and one more shot back Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

With gale force storms being forecast for today the organizers have brought forward the last round start, putting the players out in threes and starting off from the 1st and 10th tees in an effort to get finished before the storm strikes.

The last group of Els, Bjorn and Howell tee off at an unheard of 10.05 a.m. Tiger Woods’ expected charge failed to materialize as he carded a two-under 70. It left him at eight-under for the championship and seven back from Els.

“I’m going to need some help tomorrow,” confessed Woods. “I understand the weather is supposed to be terrible so hopefully I can play a great round. I’m seven shots back which is a long way back, especially when Ernie is playing the way he is,” added Woods.

Han Keeps Myanmar in Front in World Cup Qualifier

In Senai, Malaysia, veteran Kyi Hla Han kept his sights firmly on a fifth World Cup appearance as Myanmar maintained their lead in the cup qualifier after a third round six-under-par 66 in the four-ball.

Han, Asia’s No. 1 in 1999, and partner Soe Kyaw Naing shot three birdies each at Palm Resort Golf and Country Club to maintain their overnight one-shot edge over Taiwan duo Wang Ter-chang and Lu Wei-chih, who dovetailed to a 66.

South Korea stormed into third place after a blemish free 63, the day’s best, as Kim Dae-sub and Shin Yong-jin enjoyed a birdie binge to raise their World Cup hopes.

The top three finishers after today’s foursomes (alternate shot) will qualify for the WGC-World Cup in Spain in November. Hosts Malaysia and Thailand carded 68 and 69 respectively to share fourth place but have a battle ahead as they trail the Koreans by four strokes.

The weight of expectations left Malaysian duo Danny Chia and R. Nachimuthu in grave danger of missing the boat to Spain. They were hoping to narrow the gap at the top but found themselves trailing even further.

Pakistan, India Revive Kirlosker Trophy Event

Pakistan and India have revived a bilateral golf event suspended for 13 years after an easing of tensions between the arch rivals, an official said in Lahore yesterday.

A four-member Indian team plus a veteran player is due to arrive here yesterday night for the Kirlosker Trophy last played in New Delhi in 1991. The competition, based on the format of the Ryder Cup played between Europe and United States, will be played at Lahore Gymkhana golf course from tomorrow to Wednesday.

The trophy was first held in Bangalore, India in 1989 and then reciprocated by Pakistan when it was held in Islamabad the next year. India staged the third edition in New Delhi in 1991 but the fourth edition could not be held in Lahore in 1993 due to political tensions.