The runner-up in three major championships last year fired a third-round 68, highlighted by an eagle on No. 13, and is three shots off Tiger Woods' lead. Els is tied for fifth place at 9-under par.

``I must be pleased with my round today,'' Els said. ``I actually did what I wanted to do and shoot something under 70.''

Els has some ground to make up as four players - Phil Mickelson, Mark Calcavecchia, Chris DiMarco and Woods - stand between him and his first green jacket.

``Well, obviously, I was trying to get to 10, but you know, 9-under is pretty good,'' he said. ``It all happens on the back nine anyway, so even going to the back nine four behind, I'll still have a chance. I've got to try and plug on, plug away, just take what I get and try and stay focused and positive.''

Els shot a final-round 68 in the 2000 Masters and finished in second place, three shots behind Vijay Singh. Then his old nemesis, Woods, kept him from winning several other big tournaments. He went on to place second behind Woods in the British Open and U.S. Open and in the Mercedes Championships and the Memorial Tournament. In total, Els had five second-place finishes last year, with his lone victory coming at The International.

On Saturday, Els made up some ground on the field as he two-putted for birdie on the par-5 eighth hole. Then he drained a 25-foot eagle putt on No. 13 before setting up a birdie putt after hitting a wedge to four feet on No. 17.

Els has won two majors, the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997.

Els started this year with three straight top-five finishes, and he quickly earned more than $700,000 before the end of January. But since late January, Els lost his game.

The 31-year-old missed cuts at the Phoenix Open and The Players Championship. Last week, he shot an 81 in the third round of the BellSouth Classic and finished in 44th place.

``Going into The Players Championship, I wasn't anywhere near my game,'' Els said. ``My confidence was pretty low, and I decided to play last week and really worked hard. So it really has not been going my way for the last month, but it can all change right here this week.''

After finishing 24th in putting average last year, Els has not putted well on tour this year. He's averaging 1.787 putts per hole and 29.96 per round and is 123rd in putting.

The Masters has rejuvenated his putting stroke, though. Through 54 holes, he's tied for 10th in putting, averaging 1.574 putts a hole.