Ernie Els takes over halfway lead

Red-hot Ernie Els, chasing his fourth tournament victory in succession, took a one-shot lead in the second round of the $900,000 Singapore Masters on Friday.

On the morning, Els, completing his remaining three holes from the lightning-interrupted first round, suffered a double bogey at 17 after finding water.

The South African came home in 69 but then breezed the second round in five-under-par 67 for a 136 total.

Three players shared second place on 137, India's Arjun Atwal, the defending champion, his compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh, and Briton Simon Yates.

First round joint-leaders on 65, Benn Barham of England and Swede Daniel Chopra, slumped with 78 and 77 respectively.

Els, starting his second round on the 10th hole, shot an eagle on the par five 11th to set the tone.

Birdies followed on 15 and 16 and then more birdies at two and four threatened to take him out of reach.

But a bogey on the sixth halted the world number two and he parred the remaining three holes to finish the day at eight under after two rounds.

Els said: "The going was pretty good in the morning. The mishap on the 17th served as a good wake-up call and then the eagle on the 11th gave me the confidence to go for my shots.

"The course is playing well... only the heat is stifling."

Atwal, playing with Els, found the going tough and could only muster a two-under-par 70. Singh had 71 and Scotsman Yates a 69.

World number two Els has won the first two tournaments of the year and also took the Sun City Challenge in December.

Retired ex-England soccer international Matt Le Tissier, caddying for Briton Richard Bland, has the weekend off. Bland missed the cut by 10 shots after a 78 and 77.

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