Ernie Els is now sharing the driver’s season after falling back into a three way tie for the lead on day three of the BMW International Open in Munich.
The four-time Major winning South African birdied the final hole for a third day running in a three under par 69 on the now rain-softened Munchen Eichenried course.
Els, who head the lead on his own for the first two days, will head into a last event before returning Muirfield next month, and where he won golf’s oldest Major in 2002 when it was last played on the Scottish course, tied atop of the board at 12-under par with Sweden’s Alex Noren (66) and Frenchman Alexander Levy (68) on a day when played was halted for two hours late morning due to rain.
Ernie Els makes an adjustment to his putting stance to get back to sharing the driver’s seat with a round to play in the BMW International Open. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I missed a couple of putts early on including dropping shots at five, where I hit my putt past the hole, and at seven and I just felt uncomfortable until I made a little adjustment on 11,” said Els.
“My balance wasn’t quite right and my weight distribution wasn’t quite right but after the 11th hole I was fine.
“But being in the lead and now sharing the lead for three rounds is probably a good thing for me ahead of The Open.
“You are going to have situations in Majors and in other tournaments where things don’t quite go your way and it’s how you come back from that.
“So hopefully I can win tomorrow as it’s fun to be in this position, and it’s also been some time as I lost to Bernd Weisberger earlier this year by shot in the Indonesian Masters, so other than that I’m in a good position.
“But while it will be great to win in my last event before Muirfield, it won’t be the end of the world if I don’t win. I just feel that my game has turned around since the BMW PGA last month at Wentworth and I am just building on that.
“So if I win tomorrow than great and if not, it’s not the end of the world and I will still have a good three week’s holiday.”
Noren, 30 went close to a fourth Race to Dubai success earlier this month in the Nordea Masters in Stockholm.
The 22-year old Levy, who was born in California but now lives in Bandol, France, is competing in only his 14th Tour event and a 12th this year in his rookie year.
Levy is also currently ranked 521st in the world and with former French Amateur champion staring at a Euro 333,330 first prize cheque and a two-year Tour exemption.
“I played alongside Ernie today and that was great and tomorrow I am again in the last round with Alex Noren,” said Levy.
“So I am getting used to the spotlight and I’m also excited about tomorrow.”
England’s Matthew Baldwin (69), Denmark’s and 2000 BMW International Open winner, Thomas Bjorn (65) are in fourth place on 14-under par.
A further nine players, including defending champion, Danny Willett (70), former champion Martin Kaymer (69 ) and South African rookie pro, Brandon Stone (67) each at 12-under par plus Spain’s Sergio Garcia (65) on 11-under par, are within four shots of the lead.
