KILKENNY, Ireland (AFP) - Ernie Els shot a four-under 68 to take a two shot lead after the third round of the seven million dollar WGC American Express Championship.
But the South African has got a host of players chasing him.
Two back is Thomas Bjorn, having rediscovered his form after going through a major slump earlier this year.
Three back are three players - hometown favourite Padraig Harrington, European Ryder Cup star David Howell and Open champion Todd Hamilton, who beat Els in a dramatic playoff at Troon.
A shot further back is reigning US Open champion Retief Goosen and one more shot back Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
Bjorn says he is relishing Sunday's showdown.
"If I can play the way I have played the last three days I will be very hard to beat," said the Dane.
"It's been a while since I have been in this position. I have not had a top ten finish since February. I'm going to go out tomorrow and try and enjoy myself. I have a very big day ahead of me," added Bjorn, a nextdoor neighbor to Els in Wentworth.
On Saturday Bjorn came out firing, opening with two straight birdies and then carding an eagle two holes later.
"I've turned a big corner in my golf. The first seven holes were just brilliant," said a confident Bjorn.
Harrington is equally pleased with his game.
The Dubliner went out in five-under and then birdied the first hole coming back.
"Six-under after ten, I though I could do no wrong," said the Irishman.
Harrington could not keep it going but his bogey free six-under 66 put him right there for the Sunday shootout.
And he is banking on the support of the Irish fans.
"Today there was a really good atmosphere. I was getting cheered from green to tee. I got some great support," said Harrington.
He knows how big a win on home soil would be.
"It's a big deal for me if I can go on and win it. But I mustn't think about that. I just have to do my own thing and not think about it," he explained.
With gale force storms being forecast for Sunday the organisers 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.
Tiger Woods' expected Saturday 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.