Ernie Els stormed into a share of the lead on day two of the Open Championship at Muirfield with a phenomenal run on the front nine comprising seven birdies and two pars.
The ‘Big Easy’ South African, as he is affectionately known on Tour, leads on six-under par despite a poor two-over back nine failed to compliment his outward half in a round of 66.
"I was going great on the front nine to be out in seven-under 29," said Els after being told only one other player had bettered his nine hole total in Open history. "I played solid on the back but just ran out of birdie holes," added the South African.
Asked if he was disappointed with his back nine, Els replied, "Not at all, I came from nowhere this morning and now I’m leading. All in all, I would have taken a 66 at the start of the day."
Els, who was tied second in 1994 Open and again in 2000 behind Tiger Woods at St Andrews, possesses more than enough natural talent to justify adding to his tally of two major titles thus far, US Open in 1994 and 1997. He would certainly be a popular winner once again.
Els was joined by Japan’s Shigeki Maruyama who went round in 68 playing alongside Tiger Woods. Both are one ahead of Irish veteran Des Smyth (69), Sweden’s Carl Pettersson (70), Danish duo Soren Hansen (69) - this year’s Irish Open champion and Thomas Bjorn (69) and Padraig Harrington who was still on the course.
Smyth grew up playing links golf and on this evidence has carried all his experience to the Scottish links despite suffering a freak back injury earlier in the week.
The Drogheda star went for a sleep in the car and somehow strained his back. However, anti-inflammatory pills and missing Wednesday’s practice don’t appear to have hindered his challenge.
"I’m very happy with the way things have going so far. I didn’t play as well as yesterday, but the key was when I went into the rough four times today, I managed to recover three times," explained the 49-year-old who is on course to surpass last year’s top 15 finish at Royal Lytham.
"I’m a little more in contention this year because I’m in it from the start," he said. "I love this tournament and now I have given myself an opportunity to take my chances over the weekend.
"If you can bring your A-game to this course you can make a good score," concluded Smyth.
Earlier Colin Montgomerie shot a new course record 64, to move back into contention at four-under. Darren Clarke shot 67 to be one behind the Scot.
Of the two Irishmen still out on the course, Padraig Harrington was faring much better than fellow Dubliner Paul McGinley.
Harrington was five-under through nine holes while McGinley will pack his bags, because at four-over he will not make the halfway cut. The cut is expected to be no more than two-over par.
Woods made extremely steady progress with three birdies and the rest pars in his round of 68. The world number one lurks dangerously just two shots off the pace on four-under.