Goosen, Els Set for South African Golf Battle

By VOA Sports 17 December 2005

South Africa's Retief Goosen Leads Ernie Els (AP Photo)

Two-time U.S. Open champions Ernie Els and Retief Goosen of South Africa are set for a final-round battle at the South African Airways Open golf tournament in George, South Africa.

Goosen shot a 4-under-par 69 in his third round Saturday and is 7-under-par 212 for the tournament.

Els, playing in only his third tournament since undergoing knee surgery, is three strokes off the lead at 4-under-par 215. Els also fired a 4-under-par, 69 in his third round.

Overnight leader Ross Fisher is tied with another South African Darren Fichardt for third place at 3-under-par, 216. Fichardt shot a 4-under-par 69 Saturday while Fisher had a 5-over-par 78 in his third round.

The tournament is being played on the Gary Player-designed Fancourt Golf Club Course, a par-73 layout that measures 6,799 meters. This year's winner takes home more than $189,000.

Some information for this report provided by AP.