JOHANNESBURG -- They say that if Ernie Els were any more laid back, he'd fall over.

After the second round of the Alfred Dunhill PGA at Johannesburg's Houghton Golf Club on Friday, his opponents may have to do some bending over backward to stop the burly South African from adding to his PGA titles of 1992 and 1995.

The only person who came close to challenging Els on Friday was compatriot Richard Kaplan, who threw away the chance of a share in the lead when he dropped two shots over the final three holes on his home course.

Els finished with an 8-under-par 136, after a solid round of 3-under 69, two shots better than Kaplan, and three better than Zimbabwean Mark McNulty and overnight leader Nico van Rensburg.

Els described his round as "boring" as he preferred to take a conservative approach in gusty conditions on greens that became faster as the day wore on.

"It wasn't easy to make birdies and I didn't make many putts today," Els lamented. "I just went out to try and get myself in contention for the weekend and avoid any big numbers."

Els, who was followed throughout the round by his new wife Liezl, nevertheless made full use of his par fives, making his trio of birdies at three of the four long holes.

"You had to be patient because it was difficult to try and get your ball close to the hole," said Els, who lost out on last year's title when he was beaten by a shot by Tony Johnstone.

But the Zimbabwean defending champ was not in such good form this week, and he missed the halfway cut of 3-over-par 147 by three shots after rounds of 78 and 72. .

As for Kaplan, he had his own philosophy about dealing with Els during Saturday's third round.

"It's important for me to start well. If you don't start well you find yourself on the defensive," Kaplan said.

His only comment on the course itself was confirmed by almost every player who passed through the interview area.

"The rough is the toughest I've ever seen," Kaplan conceded.

It was another day of torture for former world number one and six-time major winner, Nick Faldo.

Battling to hit the ball cleanly, the 41-year-old carded a 4-over-par 76 to add to his 5-over 77 on Thursday, and gave himself no chance to make the cut.

Despite working hard on his game in attempt to turn over a new leaf after a lean last 24 months, Faldo was adamant that only more hard work would solve his problems.

"I know exactly what I've got to do. All I need is a couple of buckets and I'll be back into the picture," the dejected Faldo said. "Golf is a gentle reminder that you haven't worked hard enough."

Playing partner Mark McNulty, who remained in contention at five under after a round of 70 on Friday, said he had never seen Faldo hit the ball so badly.

"He was hitting some shots like a rank 24-handicapper," McNulty observed.

According to McNulty, after Faldo's first tee shot of the day, the Englishman said, "I may as well walk this course today."

Added McNulty, "It's sad to see that somebody that good is struggling, but we've all been through it. He just has to have the mental strength to see it out."