The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Els looking for patience

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Saturday, Feb 09, 2008
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Els looking for patience

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: ‘Big Easy’ is finding it far from easy at Delhi Golf Club. Ernie Els came for the $2.5 million Emaar MGF Indian Masters golf with a reputation to protect. After two days of struggle, the South African admitted that he was finding it difficult to score on this old-fashioned course.

Following a disappointing three-over 75 on the first day that saw a rare quadruple bogey from the 38-year-old Master of the game, Ernie needed an improved score to make the cut. There was a time during Friday when there were murmurs suggesting a premature exit for the World number four golfer.

A bogey on the opening hole from Ernie appeared a bad omen but an eagle on the eighth hole and two more birdies against a lone bogey on the back nine ensured Ernie remained part of the field and the money-list for this event. He finished with a two-under 70 and shared the 44th spot in the field of 70 survivors for the weekend.

“I was 3-over par and just trying to get it back to even today and give me a chance and then I bogey my first hole, a par-5, so I’m 4-over and right on to the back foot. But I started hitting the ball really well midway through my round.

“I missed a couple of fairways like the 13th which cost me a bogey but I really played well coming in. I was just trying to get it back to even, I’m 1-over now so I’ll just try and get something going in the morning. If I can get to something like 6-under, I might have a chance on Sunday.

“But it is such a great golf course because if you are off here, you are going to find out about it. I like that kind of golf. I haven’t been too patient so far but hopefully, I can be a bit more patient over the weekend,” said a determined Ernie, sounding relieved.

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