MALELANE, South Africa — Ernie Els moved into position for his fourth victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship yesterday, shooting a bogey-free, 8-under 64 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round.

The South African star, the 1995, 1999 and 2005 winner, had five of his eight birdies on the back nine on the Leopard Creek course to reach 13-under 203.

"This is the round I've been looking for," said Els, who birdied the first two holes. "I just had to play the way I wanted to and that start settled me down."

England's Lee Slattery (67) was 11 under, and countrymen Ross McGowan (67) and John Bickerton (68) followed at 9 under in the tournament sanctioned by the Sunshine and European tours.

The Netherlands' Joost Luiten was 6 under after a 66 that included a hole-in-one on the par-3 12th. He used a 7-iron on the 192-yard hole.

South Africa's Omar Sandys, the second-round leader, also was 6 under after a 74.

England's Oliver Wilson also had a hole-in-one. Wilson, 4 under after a 68, used a 5-iron on the 208-yard 16th hole.

AUSTRALIAN PGA

SABBATINI LEADS BY ONE

South Africa's Rory Sabbatini birdied the 18th hole yesterday to break out of a six-way tie and take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Australian PGA at Coolum, Australia.

Sabbatini's approach on the water-protected 18th on the Hyatt Regency resort course was just 3 feet from the pin. Playing in the last group of the day, Sabbatini finished with a 5-under 67 for a 14-under 202 total.

"I was happy to break the deadlock. It'll make it easier tomorrow," said Sabbatini, who hit a sand wedge downwind from 124 yards to set up the tiebreaking putt.

American Jason Gore had six birdies and an eagle for an 8-under 64 — the best round of the day — to finish in the five-player group a stroke back.

LEXUS CUP

ASIAN TEAM SEVEN UP

Se Ri Pak and In-Kyung Kim held off Annika Sorenstam and Catriona Matthew in the final best-ball match yesterday to give Asia a seven-point lead over the International team in the Lexus Cup at Perth, Australia.

After sweeping the opening alternate-shot session Friday at The Vines Resort and Country Club course, Asia took 3 1/2 of six points in best-ball play to take the big lead into the 11 singles matches today.

"Everybody is excited," Pak said. "Basically, we have had a good two days and we feel great about our chances to retain the cup."

The singles matches were reduced from 12 to 11 after Norwegian star Suzann Pettersen was forced to withdraw during the round after aggravating a back injury. Asia captain Pak, bothered by shoulder pain throughout the weekend, also will sit out today, with Pak and International captain Sorenstam agreeing to halve the match.

MERRILL LYNCH

AUSTIN'S TEAM LEADS

Woody Austin and Mark Calcavecchia shot a 12-under 60 in best-ball play yesterday to take a two-stroke lead over tournament host Greg Norman and Bubba Watson after the second round of the Merrill Lynch Shootout at Naples, Fla.

Calcavecchia made a 5-foot eagle putt on the par-5 17th hole on the Norman-designed Tiburon ("shark" in Spanish) Golf Club course.

"It came at a good time," said Calcavecchia, who teamed with Steve Elkington to win the 1995 tournament. "We nearly made birdie on the last hole, so it kind of gave us a little bit of a boost going into (today)."

Austin and Calcavecchia had a 20-under 124 total. They opened with a 62 on Friday in the modified alternate-shot format. The 12 two-man teams will play a scramble today.

Norman and Watson shot a 61.

LADIES MASTERS

NOCERA HOLDS ON TO WIN

Gwladys Nocera of France shot a 1-under 71 yesterday to claim the EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters by one stroke at Bangalore, India.

Starting the final day three shots ahead, Nocera finished at 7-under 281. Virginie Lagoutte-Clement of France shot a 69, and needed a birdie on the final hole to force a playoff. She only managed a par.

Lisa Hall of England (69) finished third and Laura Davies (70) finished seven behind at 288.