Hard times for Big Easy on the greens

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Former champion Ernie Els has been thwarted by a cold putter at this week's British Open, a problem he has wrestled with for most of the year.

The South African world number five laboured to a four-over-par 74 in Saturday's third round at wind-whipped Royal Birkdale, finishing at 13-over 223.

"It's been a frustrating week on the greens and when you're not making putts it's more frustrating," Els, 38, told reporters after bogeying two of the last three holes.

"I had a good back nine but let it slip at the end again. There have been missed opportunities and a lot of missed putts."

After completing an outward nine of four-over 38, Els picked up his first shots of the day at the 14th and 15th before bogeying 16 and 17.

The three-times major winner, who clinched the 2002 British Open at Muirfield, has averaged 30 putts per round at Birkdale, including a tally of 35 on the first day.

Els, popularly known as the 'Big Easy', believes the rest of his game is close to his best and plans to work hard with his coach Butch Harmon to revive his fortunes on the greens.

"I'm going to see him (Harmon) for two days in Vegas and work on the short game and get it sharp," said the South African, who ended a four-year victory drought on the PGA Tour at the Honda Classic in early March.