els finds his feet at hoylake

By Carl Markham, PA Sport

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Ernie Els revealed a determination to keep his season alive inspired him to card a course record-equalling 65, booking his place alongside defending Open champion Tiger Woods in the last group for tomorrow's third round.

The South African, who has slipped to eighth in the world after injuring his knee in a watersport accident almost a year ago, was bogey-free today.

He had three birdies on the front nine to turn in 32 and then had four coming home - including all of the par-fives at 10, 16 and 18 - as he soared to second place on 11 under and just one behind Woods.

"There are two majors left in the year. There is a lot of golf to be played and I don't want to write this season off yet," said the 2002 Open champion.

"I have come a long way to get to this position. It has taken almost a year and I am just excited to be here.

"I would like to play as well if not better at the weekend."

Els, who admitted feeling low at last week's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, showed a return to the kind of form he was in prior to the surgery he had after injuring his knee last summer.

"I was just trying to play the way I play Wentworth," said Els, referring to the course on which he has made his home.

"It was one of those rounds. I felt quite comfortable with my swing and I just tried to put the ball in play but when the opportunity presented itself I tried to be aggressive.

"I think I am totally over the injury I had. I don't feel it any more and I'm not sub-consciously thinking about it in my swing."

Els also had no concerns about playing alongside Woods and the media circus and huge crowds which that involves.

"There are going to be a lot of people out there tomorrow, especially with our group, but I've been in this position before and it is exciting to be in it again," added the two-time US Open winner.

"Playing with the number one player in the world tomorrow should be a lot of fun.

"I am playing with Tiger but there are a lot of other guys you have to think about.

"I've just got to keep it up. You have to keep playing the golf course and keep playing the shots and forget about him (Woods).

"I'm just going to play my game and play to my strengths."