• BMW PGA Championship, Round Three

Donald and Rose book Sunday showdown in Surrey

Luke Donald holds a two-shot lead © Getty Images

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BMW PGA Championship leaderboard

The stage is set for Luke Donald and Justin Rose to go head-to-head on Sunday, after the two Englishman persevered in tough conditions at the BMW PGA Championship on Saturday.

With wind affecting ball flights and dry, hard greens drawing criticism from the man most responsible for the course's recent redesigns, Donald and Rose both seemed most able to get a grip on the challenge the players were presented with to move to the front of the leaderboard - with Donald taking a two-shot lead over his compatriot into the final round on Sunday.

It was a difficult day for Donald, who started off in a share of second but quickly moved to the front as the leaders in the final pairing fell apart. A birdie at the fourth was his only positive move of the front nine, before he picked up successive shots at the 12th and 13th to move into an ominous position.

From there it was a struggle, however, as he dropped a shot at the 15th after an unfortunate bounce off a spectator saw his tee-shot end up in a ditch before being forced to salvage a par at the 17th with a long wedge shot after taking two to escape the trees after another drive off line.

A regulation birdie at the last doubled his lead, however, and ensured an impressive round of 69 in trying conditions.

"Mentally and physically very tiring out there," Donald said afterwards. "This course is not easy even in good conditions... but this was the best I've played so far this week.

"Justin is swinging really nicely this week, it should be a good battle. I'm excited."

His nearest competition will be provided by Rose, who matched Donald for the lowest round of the day with a 69 that got him into the clubhouse at nine-under.

It was a solid round from the consistent Rose, who started with two birdies and two bogeys in his first four holes before reeling off 11 pars and three birdies to the close.

"I knew that it was about hanging in there, and on 17 I kind of began to believe I had a great round going," Rose said. "Today wasn't moving day, it was staying still day.

"I look forward to me and Luke going at it tomorrow. It should be a good day."

Irishman Peter Lawrie is perhaps the only other player not relying on the two leaders falling back on Sunday if he is to win, although it looked like it would be much better for him for much of the day.

Sharing the lead at the start of the back nine, three bogeys in the closing six holes saw Lawrie slip back to seven-under for the tournament after a level-par round of 72.

Ernie Els, at five-under, is in fourth after a solid round of 70, but that did not stop the South African - known as the 'Big Easy' for his laidback demeanour - from launching into an uncharacteristic tirade against the tournament organisers.

Criticised for his redesign of some of the course's holes in recent years, Els was left fuming with the course staff for letting the greens get "out of control" in places.

"I played as good as I could, really," Els said after his round. "It was a difficult day. One or two better would have been really fine but I think I have a fine chance.

"Greens are getting virtually unplayable out there, and the wind is blowing, so it is very difficult. It's an unbelievable test of golf."

When pressed about the state of the greens, Els was strident in his criticism of the setup.

"Put some water on the f***ing greens," he said. "I can't control the wind, but I can't control the green staff either."

He added: "I wish they would put more moisture on the greens. I've pleaded with them, but I guess they see things differently. It's a real pity, and now we are getting to a situation where some of the greens are out of control."

Paul Lawrie, Branden Grace and Richard Sterne are also five-under, while Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero are the big names at four-under.

Ian Poulter is three-under after a round of 69, while Lee Westwood sits two shots further back after a round of 70.

James Morrison had the overnight lead, but a horrible day saw him shoot 81 to slip all the way back to three-under. Playing partner David Drysdale fared little better, recording a round of 78 thanks to two closing birdies to sit two-under overall.

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