South Africa’s Ernie Els was an impressive 7-under-par 63 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead at the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The 55-year-old teed things off with a birdie on his opening hole, then hit three in a row on Holes 5-7. The last half of his round featured additional birdies on the 10th, 12th and 15th as he went bogey-free in surging ahead of closest pursuer Retief Goosen.
His fellow countryman Goosen had higher highs and lower lows, and he did it on back-to-back holes. Following a bogey on the par-4 11th, Goosen rallied immediately for three-stroke eagle on the par-5 12th.
Goosen also had four birdies to get to 5 under on the day and 10 under for the tournament.
Sitting at third at 9 under is Bo Van Pelt, who like Goosen shot a 5-under 65 on Saturday. Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez was also 5 under and sits alone in fourth at 8 under for the tourney.
Tied in fifth four shots behind Els are Demark’s Soren Kjeldsen (65) and Argentina’s Angel Cabrera (69). Cabrera had posted a bogey-free, 6-under 64 to take the Friday lead.
Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke (64) is alone in seventh. Americans Tag Ridings (65) and Boo Weekley (68) are tied for eight.
–Field Level Media
