Four-time Major winning Ernie Els kept alive hopes of a fourth Omega Dubai Desert Classic title using a centre-shaft putter on the greens of the Emirates Golf Club.
It’s not news Els has struggled in recent years and revealing he must have used 10 different putters and just as many different grips.
The 46-year old South African won a maiden Desert Classic and Tour title 22 years ago and now he’s targeting a fourth with a second round 67 and just 28 putts on the Emirates course.
Els shares second place at nine under par and only a shot behind Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello, winner of the event four years ago and joint runner-up a week ago in Qatar.
He has won two U.S. Open’s and a pair of Claret Jug’s along with another 62 titles around the globe but then he hasn’t tasted success since mid-2013.
Ernie Els takes to using a centre shaft putter and move within one stroke of the lead on day two of the Dubai Desert Classic. Picture: Golffile | David Lloyd
However last season Els failed to record one top-10 in 11 European Tour events.
It was a similar scenario on the PGA Tour playing 15 events outside of the four counting Majors but only recording a best of T13th and missing the cut in eight, including four in succession early in the season.
“Everyone saw the putts I was missing last season, and it was career-ending stuff,” he said. “I’ve been in some holes before in my career but last year and it was one of the deepest and darkest.
“And getting rid of the anchoring method for me was a blessing in disguise.
“I said to my wife I just want to enjoy it again. I don’t care if I ever win, but I need to enjoy it, otherwise I need to do something else.
A penny for your thoughts, Ernie. Ernie Els, with a centre-shaft putter, and on route to a share of second on day two of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
“So it’s been a while since I felt this good and last year I didn’t feel like this. It’s a nice feeling.”
However while Els returns to some form his biggest fear in a record-setting fourth Dubai triumph is current World No. 2 Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy was looking like missing the cut for a first time in the tournament when he dropped to level par after a third bogey in four holes at the 11th.
However, the fellow four-time Major champ then birdied the 13th and his three closing holes in a 72 to remain at four under par.
“Rory is obviously the guy to beat this week as he’s just an explosive player,” said Els. “He had a tough time Thursday, I read, but he still shot 68. So I’d love to be in the mix with him.”
Ernie Els finds another use for his centre shaft putter during the second round of the 2016 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Picture: Golffile | David Lloyd
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McIlroy put himself in the mix and setting alight the fireworks over his closing three holes including hitting a 75-yard wedge to eight feet to be only six off the lead with 36 holes to play.
He said: “The par putt on 12 was a big one for me because it stopped me from going over par for the tournament and then after that I played the last six holes in four under par, so to roll those birdies in will be a good kick-start into the weekend.
And while tournament golf is a very selfish and individualistic challenge, McIlroy was delighted in seeing Els return to form.
He said: “It’s good to see Ernie up there as Ernie has become a pretty close friend of mine the last few years.
“As well, I bump into Ernie all the time when I am back home and practicing at the Bears Club.
“He still grinds away hitting a lot of balls, so it’s good to see him climbing out of this slump he was going through.”
