Els - birdie kept him in the hunt.
ERNIE KEEPS HOPES ALIVE
By Phil Casey, PA Sport
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Ernie Els kept his hopes of defending his Open title alive with a last-gasp
birdie at Royal St George's.
Els birdied the 18th for a round of 72 and five-over total of 218 and is still
in with a chance of becoming the first player since Tom Watson in 1983 to retain
the Claret Jug.
The world number two feared his chances had gone when he drove out of bounds
on the 14th and ran up a double-bogey seven.
"I had a good start and felt I was striking the ball well but I missed a lot
of makeable putts and the shot on 14 really killed my chances.
"In these conditions it's the easiest you are going to find it and I was
looking for something in the 60s and was well on my way after birdies on the
fourth and seventh.
"I really felt I started playing a lot better yesterday and played well again
today but let's hope for something good tomorrow."
Els added: "This golf course is beating us at the moment but if you look at
the scoreboard there's only one score under par at the moment and if I could
play the way I want I've still got a chance.
"I've got to shoot something very decent tomorrow and hope for a bit of a
breeze. I've still got an outside chance, let's put it that way.
"The golf course is tough, you have to keep your wits about you."
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