Els celebrates in style

Ernie Els got his birthday off to a great start by surging into the lead of the Hong Kong Open on Friday.
A scintillating five under 65 would see the South African jump to the top of the leaderboard on nine under at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
After two birdies in his first three holes, Els was dropped a shot on the fourth. After eight pars in a row, he would enjoy a run of four birdies over his last six holes for a two stroke lead over Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Australian pair Scott Hend and Cameron Smith.
“I played quite nicely and a 65 was exactly what I needed to do, but the course is there for the taking so we’ll see if I’m leading by the end of the day,” the 45-year-old told europeantour.com
It was an errand drive on the par four fourth that lead to hi solitary bogey. Els reflected on the shot.
“The shot was on but I didn’t really have to go for it,” added the four time major winner.
“It was a bit of a mental mistake on my part. I had a chance of scoring really low today and I kind of lost my momentum. But I’m looking forward to the rest of the week and obviously I’m in a good position.”
The organisers of the event gave Els a cake to celebrate his birthday, which he intended to enjoy after his round.
“I’m just going to really enjoy the afternoon, have a piece of that cake and relax,” he added.
Meanwhile, overnight leader Jyoti Randhawa carded an even par to to surrender his lead and drop down to six under.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Justin Thomas pays tribute to caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay after his US PGA victory
Phil Mickelson’s former bagman gave Thomas a crucial pep talk after he shot 74 on Saturday.
-
PGA Championship
Tommy Fleetwood confident he is ‘coming out the other side’ after dip in form
Fleetwood finished in a tie for fifth at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA Championship
Emotional Justin Thomas credits his experience for US PGA victory
Thomas also won the 2017 US PGA at Quail Hollow.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Thomas eclipses Will Zalatoris in play-off to claim second US PGA title
The former world number one’s victory equalled the biggest comeback in US PGA history.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy’s Sunday charge at US PGA Championship ends in disappointment
McIlroy’s closing 68 in Tulsa was followed by him declining to speak to waiting reporters.
-
PGA Championship
Paul McGinley says Tiger Woods deserves better than to be a ‘ceremonial golfer’
The 46-year-old withdrew from a major championship for the first time in his professional career at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
Mito Pereira with three-shot lead at US PGA as Tiger Woods withdraws
It is the first time in his career that Woods has withdrawn from a major.
-
PGA Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick relishing chance at securing first major title
A third round of 67 means Fitzpatrick trails leader Mito Pereira by three shots at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods withdraws from US PGA following his worst round at event
The American made the halfway cut with a shot to spare at Southern Hills, but struggled to a nine-over-par 79 in the third round.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy suffers early blow to slip further back at PGA Championship
After a run of five straight pars McIlroy pulled his tee shot to the par-three sixth into the water and ran up a double-bogey five.