Langer takes Singh scalp Goosen mauls Maggert

The defending champion was two-up with two to play when the action was stopped by darkness on Thursday evening after the start had been delayed by rain.

Els had trailed for all of the first 18 holes but fought back after reaching halfway one-down to the Scot.

There were also wins for Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood.

"Scott certainly made a contest of it. I wasn't as sharp as I could be in the first 18 holes and knew I had to get off to a better start in the scecond and I did that," said Els.

"He showed a lot of character and I'm just happy to get through."

Els, who shares the record of five wins in the event with Spain's Seve Ballesteros and South African Gary Player, struggled to ignite on Thursday morning.

But as the sun came out the Wentworth local drew level by the 20th hole and went as much as three-up by the 27th.

Scotland's Volvo PGA champion Drummond grabbed one hole back but two pars on Friday morning ensured the South African's progress to meet Argentine Angel Cabrera in the quarter-final.

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In other matches, Ireland's Harrington defeated American Chris Riley 2&1, and will next play Ryder Cup team-mate Thomas Levet, who beat Canada's former Masters champion Mike Weir 2&1.

"When we restarted I played a lot better than Mike did. He struggled a lot from the tee which made it really hard for him," said the Frenchman.

England's Westwood enjoyed a 4&3 victory over Open champion Todd Hamilton of America, while the big-hitting Cabrera beat Korea's KJ Choi one-up.

"I holed a couple of good ones from 20 feet. Good way to finish and it was always difficult for him to come back from there," said Westwood.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez also won 3&2 against American Steve Flesch and will play his European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer, who shocked world number one Vijay Singh on the first extra hole.

Qualification for the event was mainly down to finishing positions in the year's four major tournaments.