Ernie Els, also known as ``The Big Easy,'' made only one bogey Saturday as he jumped into the middle of the Masters Tournament fray.
The two-time U.S. Open champion was on the verge of reaching the top of the leaderboard during the first two rounds. On Thursday, he was tied for the lead at 3-under par when he made double bogey on No. 18 after hitting the fairway and greenside bunkers. On Friday, he was 2-under for the day when he drove into the new right trees on No. 17, pitched out and made double bogey.
``I just got in my own way yesterday,'' Els said.
On the bright side, in his last six rounds at Augusta National, Els is 8-under par. The South African shot a 75 to open the 1998 Masters but has reeled off four sub-par rounds, including a 69 Saturday to put him within reach of leader Jose Maria Olazabal.
Els enters today's final round at 4-under-par 212, three back. He salvaged a tie for 16th place last year but realizes where and how the tournament is won.
``You want to take it and everybody is standing still,'' Els said. ``You try and be as aggressive as you can but you can shoot yourself out of it quickly.
``If I'm in the tournament (today), it starts there (No. 10 tee). If I'm at 4- or 5-under, you have a chance. Look at what Steve Pate did (65).''
BIG MONEY:
The Masters Tournament announced its purse of $4 million Saturday, with today's winner receiving $720,000.
The purse is surpassed by only five other events on the PGA Tour -- the four World Golf Championship events and The Players Championship, all of which have $5 million purses.
Last year, the winner received $576,000.
BOB WHO?:
If Bob Estes wins this year's Masters, he should worry more about the officials spelling his last name correctly than the green jacket fitting.
The 11-year-pro fired a 69 Saturday to put him at 4-under-par 212 and near the top of the field. He wasn't sure if the tournament officials knew, however.
``It has taken them a long time for them to put my name up on the leaderboard,'' Estes said after completing his round. ``I don't have the resumes of the rest of the guys. I have to earn that respect.''
Estes said playing with a realistic chance to win heightens the excitement for him.
``I haven't proven myself,'' Estes said. ``It is an opportunity to see where I am and how good I can be.''
PAIN GAME:
A wrist injury has plagued Carlos Franco throughout the tournament, but it could not prevent him from shooting a 68 in Saturday's third round to round out a four-way tie for fifth place.
Three birdies on the back nine catapulted the 33-year-old to a 4-under 212.
``The pain was there; I just wanted to forget about it and continue to play,'' Franco said. ``After I forgot about the pain, I put some strength on my game.''
HOOTIE WHO?:
The fifth Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am will be held Monday at The University Club in Columbia.
The event, held by pop band Hootie and The Blowfish, raises money for the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation, the National Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association and Fairway Outreach.
Participants this year include Masters competitors John Daly, Ernie Els, Jay Haas, Tim Herron and Matt Kuchar. CBS's Gary McCord also is scheduled to play. South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre also are expected to tee off in the one-day event.
Hootie and The Blowfish will wrap up the pro-am with a concert Monday night at Township Auditorium in Columbia. Call (803) 251-2222 for tournament tickets, which are $15, and concert tickets, which are $25.50.
MORE TO COME:
Arnold Palmer gave the gallery a thrill Friday by finishing his second round with a birdie on the 18th hole. He missed the cut with rounds of 83-78.
``I had a little wager with one of my players, and I needed to get inside to collect,'' Palmer joked after his round.
Palmer, who has played in a record 45 straight Masters, said he will be back for the 2000 Masters at age 70.
``I will look forward to a few more,'' Palmer said. ``I won't say anything for sure. But I'm planning on it.''
PARTNERSHIP:
PGATour.com and GolfWeb.com have merged to produce possibly the largest golf site on the Internet, the two Web sites announced earlier this week.
The new site will continue to have real-time scoring from the PGA Tour, Senior Tour and Nike Tour. The PGA Tour will have editorial control.
The new site, at PGATour.com, will debut July 1.
THE KNIFE:
Mark Calcavecchia played with a cut left forefinger, an injury sustained Tuesday night when he was making a sandwich at his rental home and cut the finger with a butter knife. The 1988 runnerup shot 75-77 to miss the cut.
DRIVING:
Kellie Bulcak serves double duty on the Augusta sports scene. She works on the Augusta National maintenance crew and also drives the Zamboni for the Augusta Lynx, the East Coast Hockey League's first-year franchise.
Masters notebook