Els: I can be raining champ

Ernie Els feels he has played himself into contention at the BMW Asian Open after a third-round 68 left the South African five shots off the lead at six under going into the final round.

After dropping a shot at the fourth, the South African responded with five

birdies, including a run of three from the 15th hole, to post his best round of

the tournament and move into a tie for 11th place.

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With bad weather forecast for Sunday, combined with final-round nerves, the

37-year-old knows anything can happen over the last 18 holes.

"I've got half a chance now," he said.

"If it rains, the greens will be softer and you can be really aggressive with

your second shots but the par fives will be unreachable in two. So your putter

has to be hot but I have a really good shot at it."

Els, who romped to victory by 13 strokes in 2005, admitted his poor touch on

the greens this week has left him slightly bemused.

"I knew I wasn't going to shoot 26 under again but I've been a little

surprised at the way I've putted as last week everything was in place.

"But today was definitely a day to score. If my putting on the front nine had

been better, it could have been a 64."

Els is also confident his countrymen are ready to become a force in world

golf.

A strong South African contingent are involved this weekend and along with Els

and Retief Goosen, four other players made the cut with Andrew McLardy still in

the frame at seven under.

With the likes of McLardy and Richard Sterne enjoying productive seasons, Els

claimed it will not just he and Goosen competing at the sharp end of future

events.

"It seems myself and Retief (Goosen) ran with the flag so to speak for a long

time but there has always been a lot of talent in South Africa," he added.

"The only thing holding people back was the travelling. The exchange rate is

not that great and that's a big issue.

For guys to get out of South Africa it takes a lot of money and a bit of

courage to play the world circuit.

"A lot of guys have tried Asia as it's a bit cheaper. If you want to play in

Europe, you have to buy a house there. It's the same in America.

"You have to leave the country of your birth and it's not easy. There are a

lot of sacrifices. If you have friends and family, it's tough to leave to go and

work basically.

"It has taken the guys time to get through that but they have now and the

talent is coming through."