Ace helps Kelly snatch Heritage lead from Els

ATLANTA, Apr 15 (Reuters) American Jerry Kelly, boosted by a hole-in-one, overhauled a stumbling Ernie Els to grab a one-shot lead in the Heritage Classic third round at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Kelly, seeking his first PGA Tour title since the 2002 Western Open, aced the par-three fourth with a four-iron on his way to a four-under-par 67 in bright sunshine at the picturesque Harbour Town Golf Links yesterday.

That left him at 13-under 200, ahead of compatriot Kevin Na (66) and South African Els, who holed a 36-foot birdie putt at the last to complete an erratic 71.

Els, three clear overnight, struggled for consistency after running up a double-bogey six at the first where he hit a tree with his second shot.

''I feel a little disappointed about the round,'' the world number five told reporters.

''I just didn't quite play the way I wanted to.

''Thank goodness I didn't shoot myself totally out of it but it was a tough day today.'' American Boo Weekley fired a five-birdie 66 to lie fourth at 11 under, two ahead of Masters champion Zach Johnson (66), Vaughn Taylor (67), Sean O'Hair (69), Australian Stephen Leaney (70) and Canada's Stephen Ames, who shot a best-of-the-day 64.

THIRD ACE Kelly, three off the pace at the start, offset a birdie at the second with a bogey at the third before achieving the third ace of his career from 199 yards.

The 40-year-old from Wisconsin picked up further shots at the fifth, seventh and ninth to race to the turn in five-under 31.

Kelly birdied the par-four 12th to get to 15 under overall before slipping back with bogeys on 13 and 15.

''I relish the steps that I'm taking, and I really wanted a 54-hole lead,'' said the American, who has five times held at least a share of the lead after three rounds on the PGA Tour.

However, he is prepared for a very different challenge in today's final round when rain and wind are expected and tee times have been brought forward as a precaution.

''You're going to need guts tomorrow, guts to pull off shots and guts to win,'' he said.

''Tomorrow is going to be a totally different animal.

There's not going to be guys up there posting big red numbers early. It's going to be survival.'' REUTERS SAM BST1016