Memory man Els chases desert joy

ALL the signs point to the final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic today ending in a victory for one of the game’s form horses, with American Bryson DeChambeau holding a narrow one-stroke lead in pursuit of his fifth victory worldwide in his last 15 starts.

Breathing down his neck is defending champion Haotong Li — who has a pedigree for winning such duels, since he beat Rory McIlroy down the stretch last year — with England’s Matt Wallace, who won three titles last year, three behind in joint third place.

But could this turn into one of those special days when form flies out of the window?

Step forward Ernie Els. Yes, the same Big Easy who achieved the first of his 28 European Tour wins in this event, a quarter of a century ago. The man who filled us all with wonder for so many years with his textbook swing but whom we all feared was in danger of becoming a basket case after six-putting the first green at the 2016 Masters.

The South African has had the yips, he’s suffered serious injury, he’s wandered the world’s tours looking a lost soul at times — heck, the man is 50 in October, so it’s hardly surprising. But here he is, out in the penultimate group today on the same score as Wallace and in with a chance of winning for the first time in six years if he can keep his focus.

‘I’ve been digging deep into the memory bank and, so far, it’s working out,’ he grinned. ‘I’m feeling healthy, which is a big help, and it’s great playing here where I’ve enjoyed some wonderful moments,’ added Els, who also won this title in 2002 and 2005.

JUSTIN ROSE takes a threeshot lead into today’s final round of the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego. A 69 kept him nicely ahead of Australian Adam Scott (65) in second place.