South African
Ernie Els played some of his best golf of the year to take a
two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Million Dollar
Challenge on Friday.
Els, hunting his first success in the event at the eighth
attempt, shot a faultless six-under-par 66 in mist and heavy
rain for a 133 total.
Scotland's Colin Montgomerie was his nearest challenger
after a round of 69.
Spanish teenager Sergio Garcia threatened to race away from
the field when he birdied the first five holes with putts all
holed from inside seven feet.
But Garcia was far from happy after a round of 67 left him
five shots off the pace.
He was highly critical of the organisers' decision to allow
the second day's play to continue in the appalling weather.
"They should have cancelled the round after six holes. The
bunkers were like swimming pools," he complained.
Garcia also had another dig at the greens. I don't even like
these greens a little bit," he said. I had two true rolls all
day and only two of the greens are any good. I'm really mad."
Els rated Friday's round as his best in the Million Dollar
Challenge.
"It was tough out there. I thought they would postpone the
round because the bunkers were unplayable. But this golf course
can handle the rain," he said.
Scot Paul Lawrie, the overnight leader, had a disastrous
day.
The British Open champion's 76 was 11 shots worse than his
first round score and included three consecutive bogeys from the
10th.
Scores
133 E Els (Rsa) 67 66
135 C Mongomerie (Sco) 66 69
138 S Garcia (Spa) 71 67, L Westwood (Eng) 68 70
140 N Price (Zim) 68 72
141 P Lawrie (Sco) 65 76, D Clarke (Irl) 72 69, J Furyk (USA) 70 71
