FRIDAY, 2.30PM:
ERNIE ELS is among four players who are within one shot of overnight leader American Phil Mickelson in the second round of the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge on the Gary Player Country Club golf course at Sun City on Friday.
Germany’s Bernhard Langer, Jesper Parnevik of Switzerland and USPGA champion Davis Love all moved up to four-under-par, just one shot behind Mickelson.
Els and Langer both birdied the first, hitting their seconds to within millimetres of each other about five metres from the pin. Els stroked his birdie home, then Langer followed suit on virtually the same line. Defending champion Colin Montgomerie, who had a nightmare day on Thursday, came back stongly on Friday and was rewarded with an an eagle three at the 2nd and then added a birdie at the 5th.
Bookies’ odds put Els at 5-2 to win, with Love a 3-1 chance, Mickelson at 7-2. Langer was a 5-2 shot, with Price and Parnevik both at 6-1.
FRIDAY, 11.30AM:
PHIL MICKELSON is leading in the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge. Mickelson, who finished last in the tournament in 1995, birdied the last two holes to take a one-stroke lead on 67.
Davis Love is second on 68. South African star and US Open Champion Ernie Els chipped in an eagle-three at 14 to share the third spot with Bernhard Langer at 69. Defending Champion Colin Montgomerie propped up the field with a 6-over 78, which included a 5-6-7 start.
Els started well, with a superb birdie three at the opening hole. He hit a seven iron appraoch to tap-in distance. “I three-putted twice, but otherwise my short game was sharp and I hit the ball well from tee to green as well,” he said.
Mickelson was happy about his perfomance on the opening day. “Today was very satisfying and helps make up for the last time I was at Sun City for the Million Dollar when I finished stone last,” said the American left-hander.