South African golfer Ernie Els has overtaken four-time defending champion Tiger Woods for the lead at the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates.

Els has an overall lead of one stroke, and he is four shots ahead of Woods after Saturday's third round.

The South African fired a sparkling 7-under-par, 65, to match the best round of the tournament. He has a 54-hole score of 11-under-par, 205. Els is seeking his fourth title at Dubai.

Woods of the United States quickly saw his one-stroke second round lead evaporate, mixing two birdies against three bogeys for a 1-over, 73. His lackluster play landed the American superstar tied for fifth place with five other players at 209. Wood's score ended a five-month run of 21 straight sub-par rounds.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson is one shot behind Els at 206, after carding a 4-under, 68. Britons Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood are tied for third place, two strokes off the lead.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.