Ernie Els second in Dubai after vintage display
Ernie Els rolled back the years to shoot a seven-under par 65 round and move to within one shot of the leaders at the halfway stage of the $3.25 million Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Friday.
The 49-year-old South African, who last won at the Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club in 2005, is on 11-under par 133, just one behind joint leaders Bryson DeChambeau (66) of the US and Australian Lucas Herbert (63).
A three-time major champion, Els’ previous tournament win came at the 2013 BMW International Open. But seven birdies and an eagle in the second round raised visions of a possible 29th European Tour title.
Els, whose first of his three Desert Classic wins came 25 year ago in 1994, was under no illusions regarding the task at hand if he is to lift the trophy on Sunday.
"You’ve got to keep going. I think these youngsters, they’re going to keep firing birdies. I think the course might get a little bit tougher because the greens are going to get a little firmer and quicker, but these kids can really play," he said.
"I’m just happy with the first two days. Still a lot of work to be done."
DeChambeau, the highest ranked player in the field this week at number five in the world, made two stunning birdies from the desert on the third and the eighth hole in his 66, which also included three bogeys. The round may have taken him to the top of the leaderboard, but he was still far from happy with his ball-striking.
"I thought after yesterday getting it around without making a bogey was awesome, but today was even more impressive with three bogeys on the card, still shooting six-under," said the 25-year-old, who is searching for his first win away from American soil.
"I was happy about that. Unfortunately, again, just didn’t have the right sensations ... over shots. I just felt uncomfortable on a lot of them, and consequently, my ball-striking is not at my best."
The fast-improving Herbert is yet to win as a professional, but the 24-year-old served notice last year with seven top-10s in finishing 47th in the European Tour's Race to Dubai. On Friday, he got off to a hot start with an eagle on his first hole and birdies on his next two.
"I sort of kept a bit of an eye on the scores and everyone is making those numbers around the back nine. There's some good birdie opportunities,” said Herbert, who sank a 40-feet putt on the ninth (his last) to save par.
"I knew I just had to take advantage of them straight out of the gate. I was like seven-under through about 11 holes, and it just felt like I was cruising."
Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, winner here in 2013, shot a 64 and was tied for second with Els, with five players a further shot back at 10-under par. That group included the defending champion Haotong Li (67) of China and qualifier Callum Shinkwin (68) of England.
Among the big names to miss the weekend's action was 2007 champion Henrik Stenson, who's 142 after two rounds was one shot away from the cut.