Woods and Els on collision course at Open

Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, the two most prodigious talents in golf over the last five years, were both perfectly positioned for a British Open charge in Saturday's third round.

Woods, chasing the third leg of an unprecedented grand slam of golf's majors in a calendar year, was starting two shots behind co-leader Els who finished six under par after 36 holes thanks to a 66.

But both knew that kind of gap could easily be swallowed on Muirfield's treacherous links which were expected to be made even trickier on Saturday by increased winds and rain.

Irishman Padraig Harrington, who shared the pace with Els, Americans Duffy Waldorf and Bob Tway plus Japan's Shigeki Maruyama, summed up the situation to perfection: "We're only halfway there -- but there's more than half the work still to do."

PROVEN FINISHERS

Els and Woods are the two fancied and proven finishers among the pacesetters although Mark O'Meara, who won this title only four years ago, shares the same four-under 138 mark as the world number one Woods and Scottish hope Colin Montgomerie.

The South African is determined to add to the two U.S. Open titles which are his only successes to date in the majors and regards the Claret Jug hoisted by British Open winners as the ultimate prize in the game.

Woods, as ever, stands as a considerable barrier to his ambition. The American beat him into second place twice in 2000 at the British and U.S. Opens, a year that Els was also runner-up to Vijay Singh at the U.S. PGA Championship.

Both men are confident they can make the all-important charge on Saturday to give themselves a headstart for the final round on Sunday.

Woods scrambled superbly to save par on a couple of occasions during his second round 68 but also watched a string of birdie putts go begging.

BEST FORM

He is convinced it is only a matter of time before they drop and, ominously, is bang in contention without remotely hitting his best form.

Els certainly hit top gear during his opening nine holes on Friday, carding a seven-under-par 29 which was just one off the all-time Open record.

But he abruptly lost his midas touch on the homeward half and two bogeys prevented him establishing a clear lead over the rest of the field.

This is no two-man race yet, though. World number two Phil Mickelson looks out of contention after only just squeezing under the cut at two over but messrs Harrington, Maruyama, Waldorf and Tway have barely put a foot wrong over 36 holes and no less than 35 players are within four shots of the lead.

None should go into Saturday's third round in better heart than Montgomerie who established a course record 64 on Friday, a 10-shot improvement over his first round effort.

But the Scot's form in majors -- he has yet to win one despite a number of close calls over the years -- is capricious to say the least. If he can roll in a couple of early putts and lift the massive home support he commands, then even Els and Woods could have their work cut out to keep up with him.

The big question, though, is whether he can keep his momentum going -- and temper sweet. After Thursday's opening 74 he swore at a BBC radio man seeking an interview.

He said after Friday's round that peace had broken out with the same interviewer but it is still anyone's guess how their relationship will be at close of play on Saturday.