Els looks a hole lot better after a change of putter

The big South African fired a six-under-par 64 at a sun-soaked Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, to end the third round two shots off the pace with a seven-under total of 203. Els rolled in a 12-footer on the 18th green to record his seventh birdie of the day, a timely boost with the final major of the year, the PGA Championship, taking place at Whistling Straits this week.

"I needed to start finding form soon because I haven't been on form for the last month or so," the three-times major winner, affectionately known as the "Big Easy", said after totalling only 25 putts.

"Normally I play well in Europe this time of year and I had a horrible time over there. I had two weeks off ... and I kind of regrouped. I feel like I have a lot more energy to play, an urgency to play well. I want to keep that mindset going."

Els, who won twice on the PGA Tour earlier this year and finished third at the US Open before his slump in Europe, said switching putters had been a significant factor yesterday.

"I travel with two putters ... and this one I used today has got a bit more pop on the ball, it comes off a little quicker," he added. "My speed was a little better, so I gave it a bit more of a run. That was the difference.

"I felt I was in control of my ball off the tees and I gave myself a lot of opportunities. When I didn't, I got the ball up and down. It was a really nice round."

Els missed the cut at last month's Open at St Andrews and would dearly love to flourish over the coming weeks with the PGA Championship and the lucrative FedExCup play-off events looming large in his sights.

"It's another big stretch," the 40-year-old said. "Next week is obviously the last major and then I've got a week off before we go into the play-offs. I need a bit of a game and this came at the right time, I think."

Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson failed to capitalise on Tiger Woods' woeful third round as he looked to close in on the world No.1 ranking. The left-hander could only manage a one-over-par 71 to leave himself with work to do to end his fellow American's 270-week reign as the world's best player.

The world No.2 bogeyed the par-four opening hole as well as eight, 14 and 15, his three birdies not enough to prevent him slipping back to five under for the tournament and in a tie for tenth, four shots off the lead.

Mickelson needs a top-four finish, coupled with Woods finishing outside the top 44, to assume top spot. Fourteen-time major winner Woods looks on course to do that, a third-round 75 leaving him languishing in 78th place on 11 over par.

"I'm trying to win the tournament," Mickelson said."I'm only four back, and I fought hard today not really having much just to stay within striking distance. I found it difficult, I think the later groups found it tough today.

"We felt like we had to force the issue. If I can make some birdies tomorrow hopefully I can give those leaders the same feeling."

Woods, who had opened with a 74 and then shot a second-round 72, picked up five bogeys, including two on the final two holes, and a double bogey at the par-four eighth.

Two birdies at the fifth and the 11th did little to improve his fortunes. "I drove it terribly, hit my irons terribly, didn't putt well, and it added up to a lot," said Woods.

European No.1 Lee Westwood, who like Mickelson had an opportunity to seize the world No.1 ranking, withdrew after the second round with a ruptured plantaris muscle in his right calf. "I will be out for as long as it takes to get right," he said after a second round of 76 left him seven over par at Firestone. "Hopefully it will be (OK] in time for the Ryder Cup."