1995 77th PGA / RIVIERA : Els Surpasses Even Lowest Expectations : Golf: At 16 under, he has a three-shot lead over Maggert and O'Meara after shooting the lowest 54-hole score in major history.

By THOMAS BONK

Aug. 13, 1995 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Welcome to the Ernie Els Show, written by and starring none other than Theodore Ernest Els, that engaging 25-year-old with the loopy grin, the swing like a geometry lesson and a grip that’s squeezing the silver out of the the PGA Championship trophy.

At least that’s the way it appears today at Riviera Country Club, where golf’s fourth and final major championship looks like it has Els written all over it.

After three days and 54 holes, Els has a three-shot lead over Mark O’Meara and Jeff Maggert as the PGA continued rolling on its merry way toward setting more records for compliance.

If the PGA were any more forgiving, the tournament would be held in a confessional. Els’ 66-65-66 total of 197 is a PGA record, shattering by three shots the mark Raymond Floyd set in 1982 at Southern Hills.

It’s also the lowest 54-hole score ever recorded in a major. Nick Faldo held the previous record of 199, which he set in the British Open in 1990 at St. Andrews and matched in 1992 at Muirfield.

Add it all up and, well, Saturday was just another day on the course for Els, holing out from the bunker and from behind the green. Els, whose emotions run the gamut from A to B, doesn’t seem to get upset or happy or anything about anything.

“I must say, I am playing very solid,” he said.

The only things more solid than Els on Saturday at Riviera were the concrete cart paths. It was certainly an entertaining round, one worthy of a U.S. Open champion in flat-out pursuit of another major title.

Maggert shot a 65 and said he was happy to be in contention. O’Meara, who began the day tied with Els, finished with a 69 and then was asked if Els has an edge because he hits the ball longer.

“I think he’s got an edge because he’s got a three-shot lead right now,” O’Meara said.

He earned it, all right. Els has a lease with an option to buy the three par-five holes at Riviera--in three days he has played them in 11 under par.

Els birdied the par-five first hole from five feet after knocking his second shot into the bunker. Els was more spectacular on the par-four third when he drove between some trees, hit his second shot into the bunker and then holed a sand shot from 45 feet for a birdie.

But he was saving his best for later. The turning point of the day, for both Els and O’Meara, was the user-friendly 11th, a 564-yard par five.

As they stood on the 11th tee, they were tied at 13 under par. Els hit a driver off the tee, then with 256 yards to the front of the green, he hit a three-wood and the ball went through the green.

Big problem? No problem. Els holed the shot from 30 feet for an eagle three.

O’Meara, whose second shot went into the trees, wound up three-putting for a bogey.

Sooner than you can say eagle, Els had a three-shot lead.

“Obviously, it was a big change of fortunes,” O’Meara said.

It’s just as obvious that there are going to be a lot of people chasing Els today, and their only hope may be that he trips over a blade of grass in the fairway so they can catch up.

“I know I’ve got my work cut out for me,” O’Meara said. “I can’t really see him shooting more than par. That tells you what everybody else has to shoot.”

Let’s figure it out. If Els shoots a one-under 70, which would be his worst score of the tournament by four shots, O’Meara and Maggert would need to shoot 66 to win.

That’s not real pretty. It gets even uglier for everybody else. Colin Montgomerie is alone in fourth place at 202 after a 67. He would have to shoot 64. Steve Elkington and Craig Stadler, who are tied at 203, would have to shoot 63.

You can see how it goes.

“I find it hard to believe that he’s going to have a tough day out there, but golf’s a funny game,” O’Meara said.

The way Els is playing it, it’s looking like an easy game. Usually, if he’s got a lead, you don’t see him again until he picks up the check.

He won the GTE Byron Nelson Classic when he had a three-shot lead after 54 holes and finished three shots ahead. Els won tournaments last year in Dubai and in Jamaica by six shots. He also set a world earnings record last year with $2.86 million.

One of the few times Els failed to hold a lead was the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont, when he had a two-shot lead with three holes left and was caught by Montgomerie and Loren Roberts. Els won anyway, in a 20-hole playoff the next day.

Els said his primary goal today is to be mentally tough.

“If somebody makes a low round, good for them,” he said. “But I’m not going to let it go.”

Somehow, it’s not hard to believe him.

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Scores

* LEADERS

Player: Total

Ernie Els 66-65-66: 197

Mark O’Meara 64-67-69: 200

Jeff Maggert 66-69-65: 200

Colin Montgomerie 68-67-67: 202

Steve Elkington 68-67-68: 203