SHANGHAI, 1 May 2005 — Ernie Els fired a solid four-under-par 68 to extend his lead to five strokes in the third round of the $1.5 million Asian Open yesterday.

The world No. 3 cooled off after his brilliant 62 on Friday but still improved to finish on 19-under 197 at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.

Britain’s Simon Wakefield equaled the day’s best score with a 66 to take sole possession of second place at 14 under.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn was a further stroke off the pace in third, after a 68, while Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin’s 69 left him at 11 under.

The big South African began the day with a four-stroke advantage and never looked like relinquishing his lead, despite bogeying the fourth, ninth and 12th holes.

A six at the par-five ninth, where his drive found the water, particularly annoyed him although he managed to sink a 20-foot putt for birdie at the next.

Wakefield is set for his best finish since turning professional in 1997 and was relishing the prospect of being paired with Els for the first time in today’s final round.

Britain’s Colin Montgomerie returned a 73 to finish the third round at even par while six-time major winner Nick Faldo was a stroke better off after also carding a 73. The tournament is jointly sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.

Atwal Stays on Top in New Orleans

In Toronto, Arjun Atwal fired a four-under 68 to take sole possession of the second-round lead at the $5.5 million New Orleans Classic on Friday, one shot clear of American J.J. Henry.

India’s Atwal, who has seven international victories but is seeking his first PGA Tour success, had shared the overnight lead with US Masters runner-up Chris DiMarco but mounted a charge on the back nine of the TPC of Louisiana course, carding four birdies and a single bogey to sit on 11-under 133 through 36 holes.

For the second consecutive day Henry turned in a tidy effort on the TPC layout, again carding a five-under 67 with one bogey and six birdies to move within one of the leader at 10-under 134.

After carding a flawless opening round 65 DiMarco had a rollercoaster afternoon mixing three bogeys and a double bogey with four birdies and an eagle to sign for a one-under 71.

DiMarco made his big mistake at the last, a double bogey sending him tumbling out of the lead joining South Africa’s Tim Clark three strokes off the pace at eight-under.

Clark had a much less adventurous round, closing with birdies on his final two holes to finish with a three-under 69.

American Lucas Glover had a flawless day as he finished one shot further back at seven-under 137 after carding a four-under 68, one clear of defending champion Vijay Singh.

Riding the momentum from his victory at last week’s Houston Open, Singh had a one-under 71 but was still well in sight of the leader, five shots adrift at six-under 138.