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Els moves into contention
with 70
Ernie Els fired a level-par 70 early on in the U.S. PGA Championship second
round on Friday, and his stock steadily climbed as the bulk of the field struggled
in sun-baked conditions.
The world number two finished at one-over 141 and, by the end of the day, he
had soared into contention for the last of the year's four majors in a tie for
fifth with six other players.
South African Els, a three-times major winner, knows he has a chance of clinching
his first U.S. PGA title.
"I'm not in too bad of a position," he told reporters after most
of the 151-strong field had battled to hold their approaches into firming greens
at Oak Hill Country Club's East Course.
"I really wanted to get to red numbers (under par) by the end of the day,
and I almost did it.
"I have two rounds to go and I am here for the weekend. I have a chance."
Els, 33, was the first player to make an impression on the second-round leaderboard,
although he wasted an opportunity to threaten the lead when he three-putted on
his final hole.
Joint-22nd overnight after an opening 71, he found a greenside bunker with
his approach at the 452-yard ninth and, after splashing out to 25 feet, had to
settle for a double-bogey six.
That left the 2002 British Open champion at one over, having also collected
four birdies and two bogeys.
"I just got too aggressive with my first putt on nine," Els said.
"Some of the greens are getting firmer than others and it's getting a little
tricky out there."
The big-hitting South African bounced back from a bogey five at the 429-yard
10th, his first hole, with three consecutive birdies from the 14th before dropping
a shot at the difficult par-four 17th.
Although he holed a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-four eighth to get back
to one under overall, he spoiled a good round with his untidy finish.
"But I like this golf course, and I really enjoy this type of layout,"
said Els. "It forces you to hit certain shots but it really gets into your
head, it gets to your mental strength.
"It could be one of the toughest ever. It is not as long as Bethpage (venue
for last year's U.S. Open), but it definitely has the rough."
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