Ernie Els held off a strong challenge from Lee Westwood to retain a one-shot lead yesterday in the second round of the Sun City Golf Challenge. Els dropped only one shot amidst seven birdies for a 66, lifting the defending champion to an 11-under-par 133 at the halfway stage of the 12-man invitation tournament.
Westwood played his best golf of the year, carding a bogey-free 65 to leave himself only a shot adrift of the leader on 134.
Westwood lost to Els in a play-off for the title 12 months ago, when his form was far more impressive than it has been this year. Canadian Mike Weir and Germany's Bernhard Langer were both at nine-under-par 135 after rounds of 67.
Els began a steamy second round with birdies at the second and fourth holes, but found himself locked in a three-way tie for the lead with Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Spain's Sergio Garcia at seven-under.
Els, however, started to distance himself from the pack with five birdies in six holes, including four successive birdies over the turn.
"I wasn't all that sharp on the front nine, and I was pleased to be three-under for my round at the turn," said Els, who is seeking his third straight victory in the event. But once again, the back nine was totally different," he said.
"I missed a 12-footer for eagle at the 10th, but got the birdie, and then birdied 11, 12 and 14. I played really well in that stretch."
Westwood birdied the third and sixth holes on his way to the turn, and then surged into contention with three straight birdies from the eighth.
Both Montgomerie and Garcia failed to keep up their challenge on the back nine. Montgomerie signed for a 69 to finish on seven-under 137, while Garcia carded a 71 for five-under-par 139.
Westwood's birdie at the 14th took him to within three shots of Els's lead. The South African dropped a shot at the par-four 15th, missing a three-footer for par, and Westwood holed a 10-foot birdie-putt at the 17th to leave him well-placed to end his dismal run of form.
"I've got my confidence back and felt like the Lee of old out there again."
Darren Clarke showed none of the ill effects of the dehydration that led to his first round of 75. Clarke carded a respectable 68 on Friday, but still props up the field at one-under-par along with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who signed for a 72.
(British unless stated, Irish in bold)
133 - E Els (Rsa) 67 66. 134 - L Westwood 69 65. 135 - M Weir (Can) 68 67, B Langer (Ger) 68 67. 136 - R Goosen (Rsa) 68 68. 137 - C Montgomerie 68 69. 138 - J Furyk (USA) 71 67. 139 - N Price (Zim) 68 71, S Garcia (Spa) 68 71. 142 - P Harrington 70 72. 143 - D Clarke 75 68, T Bjorn (Swe) 71 72.
