Els leads Goosen; course shortened to 17 holes

Retief Goosen (L) is followed by Ernie Els of South Africa on the 18th during round three of the South African Open Golf Championship at the Durban Country Club on December 19, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.

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Soggy South African Open

Check out the conditions and players after the rain-delayed first round was completed on Friday at the South African Open.

DURBAN, South Africa — Ernie Els has taken a one-shot lead over Retief Goosen into the fourth round of the rain-delayed South African Open, overcoming a shaky start to shoot a 5-under 67 in the third round.

Els had three bogeys on his first five holes Sunday, but recovered with seven birdies to stay ahead of Goosen at 19-under 197.

Goosen surged into a three-shot lead after shooting 31 on his front nine, but followed with three bogeys and four birdies.

The course was shortened to 17 holes because of a water-logged green on the par-3 fourth, where all players were given a par score.

The fourth round was being played later Sunday after rain washed out play on Thursday.

Charl Schwartzel had a hole-in-one on the 15th en route to a 69 and a share for 10th, six shots back.