Els rediscovers form after holiday
HONOLULU, Hawaii (Reuters) -- World number three Ernie Els finally shook the rust off his game in the second round of the Hawaiian Open.
The South African fired a six-under-par 64 for a total of 131 to move within two shots of leader Steve Allan of Australia.
Els missed a six-footer for birdie at the last but has still put himself in position for a successful defense of his title at Waialae Country Club.
"It kind of started coming (together) today," Els said of a game that had been in a deep sleep since the Presidents Cup in November.
"For 27 holes, I never really putted well in this tournament. But the back nine I started making a couple, and it's starting to feel normal again."
Els may have over-extended himself in 2003. After a brilliant start on the PGA Tour when he won here and at the Mercedes Championship, he failed to win again on the circuit.
He played in 26 events on the U.S. and European tours, and while he captured six titles, four in Europe and the two in the U.S., the grind started taking its toll.
"You've got to take your time off, especially the way I had it going last year," Els said. "So, I really took five weeks off after the Presidents Cup and really didn't play a lot of golf, didn't practice much."
During his break, Els never got the urge to pick up the clubs and coming into Hawaii he was fresh saying: "It's just the rust coming off and kind of getting back to normal, hopefully, now."
