South African duo share lead

Els: Tied with Schwartzel at the top of the leaderboard

That finish leaves a sour taste, but it has no effect on the outcome tomorrow

Padraig Harrington
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Third round leaderboard
US unless stated
E Els (SA) -12
C Schwartzel (SA) -12
P Harrington (Ire) -11
R Allenby (Aus) -10
B Haas -9

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Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel lead the way at the top of the leaderboard on 12 under par after the third round of the WGC-CA Championship.

The South African duo will head into the final day at Doral with a one-shot lead over Padraig Harrington, who signed for a 67 on Saturday.

Els had begun the day one clear of Robert Allenby but, despite four birdies on his front nine, was unable to open up a gap over his rivals.

Missed putts at the seventh and 13th greens proved particularly costly, as he ended up carding three bogeys in his score of 70.

Late birdie

Schwartzel dropped just one shot, his blemish coming with a five at the par-four seventh, but also managed six birdies, the last of which at the 16th put him into a share of top spot.

His round of 67 was matched by Harrington, who could have moved into the outright lead had he sunk a long birdie putt at the 18th hole.

Instead the Irishman - who has not won a Tour title since the USPGA 18 months ago - needed three shots to get home, meaning he finished an otherwise excellent round with a disappointing bogey.

He had managed birdies at the 11th, 12th, 16th and 17th, thanks to a superb 379-yard drive downwind, to push himself firmly into contention.

"That finish leaves a sour taste, but it has no effect on the outcome tomorrow, said the Dubliner. "Who plays best is going to win.

"I played alright today and I hit a good second putt. What can I do? I will certainly take another 67."

Harrington is one clear of Australian Allenby (71) while Bill Haas is the leading American contender on nine under par.

Martin Kaymer sits alone in sixth place on eight under after firing the round of the day, the German taking just 22 putts in his score of 66.

Working hard

"I've been working very hard on my putting for the last two weeks and so one day it should pay off," the world number eight said afterwards.

Paul Casey is not out of the running either, as a 68 left him in a four-way tie on seven under with Matt Kuchar, Vijay Singh and Soren Hansen.

Spaniard Alvaro Quiros hit 69 for the second successive day to sit on six under but compatriot Sergio Garcia is well off the pace on one over.

Lee Westwood is a shot better off than his Ryder Cup team-mate despite his second 74 of the week, while Ian Poulter is joined on six over by Rory McIlroy after rounds of 72 and 73 respectively.