Els leads American Express golf

Bjorn two back entering final round; Woods trails by seven

? Ernie Els held off some early charges on a blustery Saturday and shot a 4-under-par 68 to finish where he started — with a two-stroke lead at the American Express Championship and in great shape to capture his first World Golf Championship title.

“I worked hard to get where I am,” Els said. “It’s good to be in that position again.”

Ernie Els tees off on the eighth hole in the American Express Championship. Els shot a 68 Saturday in Thomastown, Ireland.

He is being chased by a slew of international players at Mount Juliet, from Thomas Bjorn to Padraig Harrington, from David Howell to Retief Goosen.

The lone American among the top seven was British Open champion Todd Hamilton.

Els bounced back from a bogey at No. 9 — his only bogey of the third round — with back-to-back birdies to regain the lead. He picked up another shot on the 17th, and had a 20-foot birdie putt from the fringe catch the lip at No. 18. He was at 15-under 201 and had a two-shot lead over Bjorn, who shot a 66.

The final round will be played in threesomes today because of nasty weather in the forecast, and the Irish fans won’t need Tiger Woods to see a dramatic conclusion. Woods nearly holed out from 250 yards on the 18th hole, then missed the 10-foot birdie putt and had to settle for his second straight 70, leaving him seven shots behind.

Harrington birdied six of his first 10 holes and wound up with a 66. He was at 12-under 204, along with Hamilton (69) and David Howell of England (66).