After a year in which he failed to win for the first time since his rookie season in 1990, Ernie Els has given himself a great chance to reignite his career.
Hours and hours on the practice range paid dividends yesterday with a second-round 66 in the WGC-CA champion-ship at Doral in Miami.
On a 10-under-par 134 total at halfway, the South African goes into the weekend one in front of Australian Robert Allenby, whose second eventful day in a row included a hole-in-one with a fairway wood at the 245-yard 13th.
“I went back to the drawing board basically,” said Els. “I was a little bit worried going out this week because I’ve not really tested it in competition. But it’s been two good days.”
Allenby has so far had three eagles, 12 birdies, seven bogeys and a double bogey as he tries for his first victory in the United States since 2001.
Playing partners Ian Poulter and Padraig Harrington, meanwhile, went in opposite directions.
Harrington moved into contention on six-under 138 after a 68 but three weeks on from his world match-play victory Poulter crashed to near last place on six-over 150 after a 78 and then revealed that he had nearly quit the event because of a neck problem.
The pair finished their day’s work just before the first of two thunderstorm delays, officials wisely having brought forward tee-times by nearly three and a half hours.
Eighteen of the 68-strong field were still to complete their rounds when the second suspension came in mid- afternoon, including Phil Mickelson at four under with one to go and playing partner Rory McIlroy down on five over.
Harrington’s only 2009 success came in the non-Tour Irish PGA Championship, but he was making no promises about putting that right this weekend. The Dubliner has dropped to 13th in the world with nothing better than a 16th place finish in four starts so far this season.
Paul Casey, three under overnight, remained there with a 72 and Luke Donald’s 75 dropped him to one over alongside Simon Dyson (73).
Lee Westwood was four under for the round and two under for the tournament with two to go. Ross Fisher and Graeme McDowell were level par coming to the closing holes. Ross McGowan was on three over after a 71 and Oliver Wilson last on eight-over 152.