 | LEADERBOARD -18 E Els (SA) -11 R Green (Aus) -10 A Scott (Aus), P Fowler (Aus) -9 M Pearce (NZ), P O'Malley (Aus), G Paddison (NZ) |
South Africa's Ernie Els leads the Heineken Classic in Melbourne by seven shots after firing a second round 66. After his spectacular opening day 60, Els has now broken the European Tour record for the lowest 36-hole score.
Els, who is trying to win the tournament for the third consecutive year, entered the clubhouse with a 18-under-par total of 126.
The previous best score for the opening two rounds on the European Tour was 127, achieved by John Daly in 2001.
Australian Richard Green is second on 11-under after firing a 67 while compatriot Adam Scott shot a 68 to move into outright third.
Playing the back nine first, Els went out in 34, making birdies on the 10th and 15th holes.
|  That was a good day's work, I thought |
The world number three then picked up another four strokes on the way home, including birdies at each of the last three holes. "I tried to get yesterday's round out of my mind as soon as possible," Els said.
"It is hard to do but starting on the 10th hole and birdieing my first hole settled me down again.
"I played a very good front nine and had a nice finish to my back nine, birdying my last three holes."
Scott, who was Els' playing partner, was full of admiration for the South African's performance.
"It was absolutely inspirational," said the Australian. "I honestly believe that when Ernie is on top of his game and Tiger (Woods) is on top of his game, they are pretty hard to separate."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
