The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Ernie Els surges into lead

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Sunday, Oct 03, 2004

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Sport - Golf

Ernie Els surges into lead

THOMASTOWN (IRELAND), OCT. 2. Wild weather seems to bring out the best in Ernie Els. He was both steady and spectacular on Friday in cool rain, warm sunshine and blustery conditions for an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the American Express Championship.

Els emerged from his post-Majors funk with one of his best rounds of the year, starting with four straight birdies and ending with a 10-foot par save at Mount Juliet to get in position for his first World Golf Championship title.

"I knew it was going to be rough today," Els said. "I mean, 64 in these conditions ... it's one of the better rounds I've played this year. I haven't shot a low score for quite a while, so this was nice."

Els was at 11-under 133 and led by two over Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) and Todd Hamilton (69), who beat Els in a four-hole playoff at Royal Troon to win the British Open.

Tiger Woods' back injury was much improved, but his putter went on the disabled list over the final nine holes. He three-putted twice, missed a couple of short ones and wound up with 19 putts on the back nine for a 70 that left him five shots behind.

"I putted so bad on the back nine that it cost me four shots," Woods said. "There's still a long way to go." The road looks shorter with the Big Easy in command. — AP

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