After two near-misses, Els hopes Sunday is his day

Ernie Els believes he can win his fourth major title on Sunday, after finishing second at the Masters and in the top 10 at the U.S. Open. Anyone within four shots has a good shot at the Claret Jug, he says, including surprise leader Todd Hamilton, whom Els says has the stuff to be a major champ.

TROON, Scotland (PA) -- Ernie Els insists he is not owed anything on Sunday as he tries to make his third try in the majors this year a lucky one.

Els was edged for the Masters title by Phil Mickelson's birdie on the 72nd hole at Augusta National in April, and was in the last group on the final day at the U.S. Open before crashing to a closing 80.

The world No. 2 has another big chance at Royal Troon Sunday to claim his fourth major title as he trails leader Todd Hamilton by just two shots going into the final round. But he says he's not due a change of luck.

"I don't think you can look at it like that," he said. "At Augusta I played well and got beat. At Shinnecock Hills I played like crap and got a top-10 finish!

"I really came close at the Masters but got beat by Phil, who played great," he added. "If that happens tomorrow, you walk away and try again. Maybe it goes my way tomorrow.

"I have to play at my best and hope for the best," he said. "This is a great leaderboard with quality players and some new guys that really want to break through. It's set for quite a finish."

Els and Mickelson have both been in contention at this year's first two majors, and Els noted that, at this stage of their careers, they live and breathe for these tournaments.

"Phil has changed his game, tightened his swing and is really playing the type of game that's going to get him into contention," Els said. "If he plays like this the rest of his career, he can compete in every major because he has so much talent. He has found a way to play major championship golf."

Els looked to be slipping out of the frame Saturday when he bogeyed the 11th to drop back to 4-under. But he birdied three of the next four holes to claim second place at 7-under.

"You would like to be leading, but I'm right there only one shot behind," he added. "A lead right now doesn't mean much. Anyone within four shots has a legitimate chance of winning."

Hamilton is something of an unknown to many golf fans, but Els considers him a legitimate threat to win on Sunday.

"I know Todd from Japan. He is quite a star over there," said Els of Hamilton, who has won 11 times in Asia but needed nine visits to PGA Tour Q-School to get his card before winning the Honda Classic earlier this year.

"He was maybe a surprise to you guys when he won the Honda, but from a players' point of view he has always been a really quality player," Els said. "He has a good game for this course. He hits it low, and it seems like he was brought up on this type of golf. He's going to be tough to beat."

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.